#*pulls out walkie* switching sides

[becasbelt]

putting mel on the cover was sooo sexy of them

[kisses4themissus]

before mr & mrs... | Hwang In-ho x Reader

word count: 4.1k a/n: so tell me whatcha all think of their backstory pls pairing: hwang in-ho x fem!reader !! not proof-read properly !!

Masterlist | more of this couple

“Have you seen player 132?” il-nam asked you, he sat in his armchair, watching players drop to their deaths.

You didn’t look up from your binder you had filled of game ideas. “No, i haven't; i’ve not paid much attention to any of them really.” You said honestly, walking over to il-nam and handed him your latest sketch of a game concept. 

“He has potential, he didn’t hesitate to kill his teammate; it’s like someone i know all over again” He chuckled as you gave him a unimpressed look. “I was left with the bitch of my team, of course i was going to take the chance to take her head.” You sighed, sitting down beside il-nam in your own chair.

“We could use him.” il-nam pointed to the man on the screen, you looked up and studied the man on screen. He was very handsome, he was also very set on winning these games for his wife.

You bit your lip as he laughed along with other players, you turned back to il-nam. “Tomorrow i’ll start preparing the room for the VIPs..” You informed the host before excusing yourself to the office of files. Once the door was shut you went through files for the news players to find more out about player 132.

You had brought the files with you to your bedroom and read up on the player as you settled in for bed. It had been disappointing when you saw he had entered the games for is wife and unborn child; to pay for her liver transplant. You had turned to your walkie talkie on your nightstand and switched to another channel.

“Get me as much info as you can on player 132’s wife.” You spoke into the walkie talkie and immediately got a confirmation by the recruiter; a close friend of yours, who you had grown close while you both worked for il-nam as workers.

“Right away, game planner..” 

- - - - - - - -

Days later, you watched from the control room as another game was played as you planned it, you watched with a big grin.

“Chipper as always..” The recruiter chuckled as he walked into the vip room with a file in hand. “Always a pleasure seeing you, now hand it over!” You smirked at your friend and held your hand out which he took with his free hand and kissed the back, making you chuckle at his flirty advances.

“Now, I believe you requested these.” He handed you the files, a squeal left your mouth as you opened the file up and began reading over the report. Your eyes quickly ran over the page as you finally landed on the words you had secretly hoped would be there. “I have to show il-nam!” You closed the file and kissed the recruiter on his cheek before patting the other side. “I love you!” You squealed as you exited the control room and walked to il-nam’s penthouse.

You scanned your badge you had clipped to your shirt and was granted access. You knocked on the old man’s room door. “Come in.” He sighed out, fidgeting with his tie. “I have news about your possible winner!” You handed over the folder, he took it and read over the report and sighed before walking over to his tv and shuffled through the cameras to show the players eating their breakfast.

“He’ll be even more convinced to join you if his whole reason for winning this game is dead.” You pointed out, sitting on the arm of the chair. 

il-nam nodded and grinned at you. “Good job, finding this.” 

You bowed your head in thanks. You looked down at your watch and checked the time. “VIPs should be landing here in the next hour, sir.” you informed, getting up from the arm and walked to a cabinet he had in his penthouse, you unlocked the cabinet and pulled out his gold bedazzled owl mask, he would wear in front of the VIPs. 

“I assume you haven’t seen your gift?” il-nam asked, a small smile on his face. You tilted your head confused. “You got me a gift?” You questioned, the old man nodded at you. “Your gift is on your bed.” 

With that you left off to your level that was your space, you quickly walked into your room and squealed as a white 3D matte mask laid on your bed. You picked it up and smiled at it. 

“For my brilliant gameplanner.” - Host

You noticed the coat that laid on the back of your vanity chair. You looked around your bedroom for your outfit for the VIPs.

- - - - - - - -

You sighed as you pulled off your gloves as you walked to the elevators, you scanned your badge and pressed your floor.

It was another year of sadistic games you had planned out. You quickly placed your things away. As you hung up your clothes you heard the faint call from your walkie talkie you had left on your kitchen table. You sighed and walked to the kitchen and picked up.

“Gameplanner, the host is requesting you to his penthouse.” A manager called out, you answered briefly, grabbing your white mask and game binder, before walking to the elevators. You pressed il-nam’s floor which was the highest on the panel. You sighed, as the elevator stopped, the doors opened to show the recruiter; he smiled at you as he entered.

“Gameplanner.” He greeted, taking your hand and bring it to his lips. “Recruiter!” You smiled back. “il-nam called you up too?” He asked, pressing il-nam’s floor. “Yep, probably wants to discuss players and games..” You guessed.

As elevators opened to show il-nam’s house. You both walked into the penthouse and walked to his living room where he sat, someone with him, their back to you both.

“You called?” You asked, the old man smiled as he motioned for the other person. “This is our newest member.” The stranger stood up and faced you both. You and the recruiter recognized the man in front of you. “Ah, player 132! I’m glad you’ve taken il-nam’s offer.” The recruiter smiled at the man, holding out his hand.

The ex-player shook his hand. “The salesman, wouldn’t have made it here if you didn't give me that card.” He charmingly smiled.

il-nam chuckled at the two before turning towards you, “In-ho, this is our game planner, she’s also a former winner of the games; player 033.” In-ho raised an eyebrow as you held a blank face and stuck out your hand and firmly shook his. “Nice to meet you.” You greeted, taking you hand back and held closely to your binder.

“What will be his job exactly?” The recruiter questioned, you both looked as il-nam smiled at you three. “In-ho will help out with the staff, more specifically the soldiers, you see he’s a former cop!” il-nam explained, making you and the recruiter raise your brows at the job.

“Oh, il-nam i have the layout of games this year!” You perked up and opened your binder, in-ho watched as you flipped to a page and laid it down on the table for all to see.

In-ho read over the pages, he watched as you smiled at il-nam’s praises. You had been the sadist, who created the monstrous games, many players had threaten to kill you if they had gotten out of the game. “Impressive work.” In-ho complimented.

“Thank you!” You nodded before turning to il-nam. “I need to go unpack my things but just have the workers return it to me.” You smiled at the old man before excusing yourself back to your floor.

- - - - - - - -

It had been weird for another person to be in the control room with you. You had placed in-ho on cameras while you watched the players in their dorm, teams had begin to form liked you hoped. “How long have you worked for the host?” In-ho questioned as you both watched players bond. 

“Three years ago, I was offered after I had won, didn’t even get to play the final game, killed the girl in the dorm after she tried to suffocate me in my sleep.” you explained, tapping on the board in font of you. Several camera footage popped up on the screens.

“You know, a lot of players curse you out for creating such terror.” His words made you chuckle. “I’ve heard, you get used to it after one game.” You smiled at him for the first time. In-ho stared at you, a small smile on his face. You quickly dropped the smile and cleared your throat.

“I need to go figure out the lighting for one of the games, excuse me..” You brushed past in-ho and walked out of the control room.

- - - - - - - -

In-ho watched carefully as you and il-nam watched players fight for their lives, you had a content smile while the concept worked perfectly; your walkie talkie crackled on the kitchen table, you popped up and walked over with a smile as a deep voice went through.

“Wonderful work as always gameplanner.” The recruiter compliment, making you chuckle before walking to the hall to continue talking without disrupting the game.

In-ho turned to il-nam who watch the games with glee. “Are they together?” He asked, making il-nam turned to him confused.

“The recruiter and the planner, i mean.” In-ho clarified, il-nam glanced back at you and noticed how happy you were and shrugged.

“They’ve been close since they both started working for me, who’s to know…they might even be married?” Il-nam guessed, thinking back to how you both always threw flirty glances and even affection every time you had been around each other. 

In-ho nodded and sat back in his chair, his mind drifting off into what your relationship could be with the recruiter.

A few minutes had passed and you walked back to your chair, a smile still on your face. “Sorry gentlemen, the recruiter was just giving feedback!” You bowed your head to the pair apologetically, il-nam smiled and wave you off.

As you all watched the game finish, il-nam had gotten up and walked to his bedroom for the night, leaving you and in-ho alone in the penthouse. You both ad began to pick up, you collected the drink glasses while in-ho stacked the paperwork in order. A peaceful silence fell over the room, the sound of glass lightly clinking and the water running filled the background. 

“So, is he your husband?” In-ho questioned, handing you another glass. You glanced over, confused. “Who?” You tiled your head.

“The recruiter, i mean you both seem close.” In-ho watched as you chuckled, setting the freshly washed cups in the drying rack. “And be mrs recruiter?” You smiled and laughed a bit.

“Never, i only humor him, when we were workers together I had a massive crush on him.” You turned to in-ho grinning. “Why do you ask?” You raised a brow, hoping he’d confess.

“Nothing, il-nam wanted to know what were you both exactly.” He lied, you sighed and nodded. “Make sense, il-nam always tried pushing us together, he told us many, many years ago he saw the recruiter as a younger son who couldn’t see the pretty girl in front of him.” You chuckled at the memory, making in-ho nod, he quietly took in your relaxed features.

“Why did you join the games?” In-ho questioned, quickly noticing how you tensed up for a second before responding. “My situation wasn’t perfect, forced to marry some older guy for money; said guy didn’t earn money legally.” You paused, your memories coming back, you paused holding onto the sink. “He was nice and loving to me at first, then one day I had found out the truth of his source of income, he threated to kill me if i ever said anything.” You paused.

In-ho watched as you avoided his gaze and continued to look at the glass cup. “Turns out there was a rat in his little group, they all thought it was me…I think you know what happened next, I had nothing, so i got offered to play the games, won and divorced the asshole once i had gotten out.” You finished explaining. In-ho went to talk but you cut him off.

You quickly dried your hands before turing to in-ho. “I need to go to bed, goodnight in-ho.” You nodded and excused yourself to the elevators.

- - - - - - - -

The next morning, the VIPs would arrive, you had prepared everything to be perfect. In-ho sighed as he walked into the luxury room, you stood in the middle, directing the waiters.

“Ah, in-ho perfect timing!” You smiled and walked over to him. “What do you think?” You grinned, showing off your newest game idea, the room had been decorated like the outdoors, an adult sized playground filled the area, other playground toys littered around. ”What game is it?” In-ho asked, confused to the playground. 

“The floor’s lava.” You smirked and pressed a button on the control panel, the floor had begin to pull back, the playground structures stood tall, in-ho smirked as it would drop players to their deaths. He grinned and nodded at you. “Amazing!” He chuckled as you pressed the button once more and the floor moved back into place.

“Thank you.” You smiled, looking at in-ho. You both stared at each other with admiration; In-ho cleared his throat and excused himself to the control room, you nodded and watched as he walked out of the room. You sighed, placing a hand on your forehead, it was foolish to think he’d move on from his wife that fast.

“Troubles?” Il-nam questioned, walking into the room. You shook your head and sat down on the nearest sofa. “It’s nothing.” You tried to dismiss, il-nam chuckled and sat down beside you. “You have this look where it isn’t, now what is it?” The old man smiled, comfortingly at you. With a sigh you turned to il-nam. “I thought in-ho and I would be closer by now, I mean we both work around each other constantly, ask each other for everything; I mean he got me to open up about my first marriage.” You sighed, placing your head in your hands.

Il-nam chuckled and patted your back. “Seems i have a new blind daughter?” 

At his words you picked up your head and looked at il-nam confused. “What do you mean?” you questioned. The old man just chuckled at you.

“He looks at you with much more then admiration.” Il-nam smiled at you. The old man quickly got up from the couch and helped you up before turning to the entrance. “The VIPs should be here anytime now; go get ready.”

You nodded at il-nam and got up to go get dressed.

- - - - - - - -

The soft clicks of your heels filled the control room, you walked over to the control panel and watched as the players began to wake up. You silently looked over the monitors before turning back to the elevator doors. You stopped as in-ho walked into the room, a black matte 3D mask on him.

“Looks nice.” You complimented, he bowed his head, in thanks. “Now i’m official.” He joked, making you smile, you leaned over and fixed his collar which had flipped up due to the mask. “Now you look perfect.” You sighed, smiling at in-ho under your mask.

- - - - - - - -

Another year of twisted children’s games had arrived, you were excited as always. You sat in the limo as il-nam had his driver pick you up from your small apartment. “Are we heading straight to the island?” You questioned, digging through your bag for your binder. “Actually, we have another to pick up.” Il-nam smiled at your confused look.

The limo pulled up in front of a small convenience store with apartments above, you hadn’t looked up from your binder, too busy making notes for the games that were to be played that year. The limo door opened and quickly shut.

“Good evening.” In-ho greeted. You looked up from your binder and smiled at in-ho’s appearance. His hair was now combed back, his eyebags had disappeared; he seemed more put together then he did the previous year. “In-ho.” You greeted, in-ho scooted closer to you in the limo, leaving il-nam by himself on the opposite side, the old man smiled and sipped his champagne.

You tried to focus back on your notes while in-ho and il-nam went over their time apart, you had listened as il-nam and in-ho talked about the newest players.

“The recruiter told me this year is a good batch.” You chimed in, flipping the binder page, viewing the photos il-nam had sent to you as the workers built the stage for the games. Both the other men nodded at your words and began talking over the workers.

You watched as the limo loaded onto the boat, you sighed. Laying back in your sleep you slowly drifted off as the distance sound of the waves hit your ears.

In-ho leaned back a bit, a glass of whiskey in his hand. Il-nam chuckled as your head slowly reached in-ho’s shoulder, “I suggest we need cameras in the-!” In-ho stopped himself as your head laid on his shoulder, he quickly fixed your head to be comfortable before leaning back further.

“You two are cute together.” Il-nam grinned, finishing off his glass before placing it in the cup holder. In-ho smiled bashfully, lookin over to see you peacefully asleep; you had stressed over the games to even properly sleep.

“I don’t think she sees us like that.” In-ho sighed out, il-nam laughed at his words. 

“You both are blind; she hasn’t looked at anyone with that look since she was a circle worker.” Il-nam confessed, both men watched as you fidgeted in your sleep but soon stopped as in-ho wrapped and arm around your shoulder to bring you in closer.

“You think so?” 

“Oh i know it.”

- - - - - - - -

The three all stood in the control room as the players photos popped up under your feet. You nodded as the board began to fill up. As you paced the board; you stopped as a familiar face posed right below your heel.

“Gameplanner?” In-ho asked, noticing your reaction to a player, he looked down confused at the player and took note of the number before ushing you to the control panel to fix the game’s lighting.

Later that night in-ho had walked to the office where all files of players and their backgrounds where kept and began to go through the computer in hopes to find the player that stunned you earlier.

Player 068, or as you knew him as your first husband. Apparently the man had been caught with his illegal money and was sentenced; once out he was attacked by loan sharks who he had grown a massive debt to, leading him to join the games.

In-ho scoffed at the photo, it was the same asshole who almost killed you. Quickly in-ho logged off and walked back to the elevators and pressed the button for your floor.

You quietly made tea in your small kitchen, you had been shook up the rest of the day, shocked to see your ex make it out of the first game. The sound of shoes came from behind you.

You turned and was surprised to see in-ho in your floor of the building. “What are you doing here?” You questioned, grabbing two mugs down from the cabinet.

“I wanted to see if you were alright after earlier, you seemed stunned.” He explained, setting down his black mask on your table, you sighed and brought him a cup of tea and sat down in front of him. “I’m sorry, seeing someone you didn’t expect to show up will do that to you…” You sipped on your chamomile tea. In-ho sighed and scooted his chair closer to you.

“He can’t do anything anymore, you have power in the control room to kill him within the first second of the next game, i’ll even tell the soldiers to have him killed in the dorm right now if you wish.” In-ho placed his hand on your knee making you breakdown as he looked at you while concern and love in his eyes.

You threw yourself into him and cried into his shoulder.

“He didn’t even suffer the way i did..” You cried, wiping your tears as they fell. In-ho shushed you and rubbed the back of your head in comfort. “It’s alright.” In-ho reassured.

- - - - - - - -

Days had passed and you were slowly getting back to your regular personality, since that night you had noticed in-ho had rarely left your side, he’d even began to sleep on your couch while you slept in your bedroom, to reassure your fear that your ex would attack you in the night.

You sighed as you peacefully laid in your bed, your room door opened giving you the perfect view of in-ho who laid propped up on your couching reading whatever book you had laying around. You played with your comforter before tugging it away from you, slipping on your slippers you walked over to the couch and tapped in-ho’s shoulder.

“Come laid down with me?” You asked, making in-ho stopped breathing, you had looked beautiful, messy bedhead, your silk pajamas, the look of love in your eyes. “Of course.” He nodded and followed as you walked into your bedroom.

He took in the decor as he got into the bed behind you, he hesitated to place his arm over your waist. You turned around to face him and smiled shyly before wrapping his arm around your waist. “Il-nam would lose it if he saw us together right now.” In-ho commented making you chuckle and nod. “He would go “i knew you two would be good together”, typical matchmaker…” You both chuckled at your impression of the old man.

In-ho moved his hand to cup the back of your head and rested it on his chest. You both peacefully fell asleep. You wished it had been a peaceful night.

You both were woken up to the sound of the managers voices coming from the walkie talkies. “Frontman? Gameplanner?” In-ho grabbed the device from your bedside and answered, you got up and grabbed your coat. 

“A player had gotten loose, we’ve trapped him in the red light field!” They informed you both. “Which player?” In-ho questioned, “Player 068 sir.” 

You watched as in-ho got up from your bed and walked to the living room and got dressed, you following behind him, your white mask in your hand. As he was on autopilot, in-ho walked to the field, his gun in hand and you following behind.

The doors opened to show the pink managers and soldiers surrounding the player. In-ho knelt down to look at the man. “Trying to leave?” He asked, his gloved hand roughly grabbing the players jaw. The man didn’t speak and just shook his head in fear of the masked man. “Did you let your ex-wife go?” In-ho asked, holding the man in a tight grip.

In-ho looked at the man with disgust under his mask, cocking his gun he stopped and turned to the crowd and found you standing behind soldiers. “Gameplanner, why don’t you get this pleasure.” In-ho stood up and held his hand out to you.

You took his hand and walked to face your ex-husband, your mask forgotten on the dirt floor. 

The man looked at you, pleading to live. “C’mon honey, remember the good times we had!” He tried to grab your coat but in-ho stomped on the man’s hand making him yell out in pain. “You bitch, having men do your dirty work!” He yelled out, without heistain you stood tall and aimed the gun.

BOOM!

You watched as his body fell back, blood spilling on the dirt. You turned to see in-ho with a unreadable look, his mask now on the ground as he glared at the body. 

“In-ho.” You watched as he turned to you and quickly wrapped you in a hug and kissed your cheeks as tear began to fall; your ex-husband was finally gone, now longer haunting your mind. “I’m here, i have you.” He reassured, you pulled back and stared at in-ho with admiration and leaned in.

In-ho chuckled and kissed your tenderly, ignoring as the pink workers and soldiers began to clean up. “I’ll alway keep you from harm.” In-ho whispered against your lips making you kiss him once more eagerly.

- - - - - - - -

Il-nam chuckled as you both stood in front of a courthouse, your marriage certificate in hands you both kissed for the photo.

“It's a good photo of you both!” The old man smiled at in-ho who chuckled at the framed photo on his desk. 

“Thank you.” In-ho thanked him before searching through paperwork.

“Gentlemen.” A smooth voice made the pair look up to see the recruiter in his suit. In-ho and il-nam shook his hand in greeting before they all dove into paperwork of the next game.

A bit had gone by before the front door to in-ho's and your shared apartment opened. You were greeted to the sight of the three men crowding over your dining table. With a chuckle you placed down your bag on the couch and watched them go over plans.

“Gameplanner.” The recruiter smiled and kissed your hand. From the corner of your eye you smirked as in-ho leaned back in his chair watching you both, but playing it as if he was stretching. “Getting close to my wife?” In-ho questioned as you both parted away from each other.

You chuckled as the recruiter fixed his tie and hair before sitting back down. “It’s only a greeting to the mrs frontman..” The recruiter tried to defend, making il-nam chuckle at the reactions.

In-ho smirked while you gave the recruiter a look of distaste, “He should be mr gameplanner, i’ve had my title longer!” You scoffed, sitting down next to your husband.

“Alright then, it was a simple greeting to mrs gameplanner.” 

You smiled at the re-wording and went back to helping il-nam with the scattered papers.

taglist girlies : @snowtargaryen @menabuser16 @azusdump @jspidey5 @annasnape7 @macnbriee @ookybatt @sasha-swftie @moonxnite @ninglovr

mr & mrs girlies: @colorwastaken @aphoenixnamed-angel @sooyasya @fries11 @lover-girl009 @skywalker0809 @fallout-girl219 @scarlettlupinblack

[fel-09]

Winter in Birmingham: Behind the Scenes

Fluff

Cillian Murphy x reader

Snow kept falling — heavy, wet, relentless. The kind that soaked into your boots and jacket no matter how hard you tried to pretend it was still romantic. The shoot had stalled again. Someone was switching lenses. Someone else was yelling over a walkie-talkie. She stood a few steps away from the chaos, arms crossed, shoulders hunched in her coat. Waiting. Patient, as always.

Cillian was nearby. Holding a paper coffee cup, quiet as ever. He wasn’t really part of the noise around him — never was. That calm, detached energy that somehow made him stand out more than any shouting star could. He watched the crew like they were behind glass. Observing. Calculating. Maybe just zoning out.

She glanced at him once, then again. Then at the snow. Then back to him. He looked too comfortable.

Without warning, she bent down, grabbed a handful of snow, packed it tight, and threw it hard. It hit him square in the side.

The coffee flew. The cup landed in a sloppy puddle of slush.

He didn’t flinch. Just turned his head slowly, locking eyes with her. That dry, unreadable expression. Like he was deciding between amusement and revenge.

— "You did not just—"

— "I did," she said, lips twitching into a half-smirk. No apology in sight.

He crouched down, scooped up snow with quiet precision, shaped it like it mattered. Then launched it at her. Hit: shoulder. Cold shock, right through her coat.

And that was it.

The war began.

Snowballs flew, no rules, no mercy. She laughed — real, sharp, breathless. Not a giggle, but the kind that came when she forgot herself. He barely said a word, just moved fast, clean, with that infuriating grace of his. Ducking behind trailers, catching her off guard. Tactical, even in a snowball fight.

She tried to dodge, but he caught her off balance. He was suddenly behind her, arms locking around her waist, lifting her off the ground in one quick pull.

— "Cillian!" she barked, twisting.

— "You started it," he murmured near her ear, low and amused. His breath hit her skin — warm, unwelcome. Familiar.

— "Put me down, you lunatic—"

But he didn’t. He started tickling her — fast, ruthless. She gasped, lost control of her laughter, squirming and cursing under her breath.

— "You’re dead," she hissed between gasps. "I’ll kill you in your sleep."

— "Do it gently," he said, still close, barely smirking.

Somewhere, a phone camera clicked. A PA was recording, obviously. But neither of them noticed. Or cared.

This wasn’t part of the scene they were shooting. Wasn’t part of the show. It was just them. Real. Messy. Loud. And alive.

[spencer-todd]

Keeping up with the Waynes

Stephanie, to camera: Today, we journey into the jungle of the living room, where a creature known as a Wayne has been spotted. This particular breed, known as a Dick Grayson, is a very athletic species, and is primarily known for its loving nature and love of obnoxiously bright colors.

*bad camera footage zooms in closer as Stephanie continues*

Stephanie: This particular Dick-

*snickers erupt from behind the camera*

Stephanie, somehow keeping a straight face: -Shut up. This Dick seems to be enjoying a rare moment of peace and quiet, and, as we can see, is asleep.

*Stephanie looks off-camera*

Stephanie: We now switch to an aerial view to get a better look at this rare and exotic creature.

*ground camera zooms up to reveal Damian, with a camera, suspended from the ceiling, over the couch where Dick is napping, by a rope-and-pulley system. Jason, hiding in the shadows in a far corner, holds the other end of the rope*

Stephanie: Great, great, that looks great. Can we get a zoom?

*Jason, only holding the rope with one hand, easily lowers Damian a foot or so closer to Dick*

Stephanie, back to camera: As you can see, this Dick-

*More snickers off-camera*

Stephanie, unfazed: -is completely unaware or our presence. This is a phenomenon scientists have labelled a "food-coma", which is a state of complete unconsciousness brought on by the over-ingestion of food.

Stephanie, to someone off-camera: Can we get a close-up of the face? Yeah. No, the face. The face. Yeah.

*Cass raises a tiny walkie-talkie to her mouth and speaks into it, looking across the room at Jason, who appears to be dozing off while leaning against the wall, still holding the rope suspending Damian mid-air*

Cass: Can't reach. Brother asleep.

Stephanie: There is no problem too big for the Wild Batts. Spencer?

*Spencer pulls out her phone and taps a few times before clicking it off and placing it in her pocket, fixing Jason's silhouette with a victorious smile. Across the room, Jason lifts his head and retrieves his phone from his pocket. His face is lit up by the screen as a picture opens. Jason's jaw drops and so does the rope he is holding.*

Damian, flying through the air: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

*Damian lands on top of Dick, startling him awake*

Dick, still half asleep: WASH? WASH HAPPEN?

*Everybody freezes*

Stephanie, monotone, beginning to sway side-to-side: You are asleep. You are dreaming. You have a teddy bear. You are sleeping on giant marshmallows.

*Dick's eyes flutter shut and Damian slowly begins to roll off his brother. Before he can make it, however, Dick grabs him and squeezes him tightly*

Stephanie, after a second: We now see that the Dick-

*Snickers*

Stephanie: -has captured one of the cameramen.

Damian, whisper-shouting: BROWN! HE'S SMOTHERING ME!

Stephanie: I'm sorry. The show must go on.

Damian: I cannot breathe.

Stephanie: Thank you for volunteering.

Damian: I did NOT volunteer to be smothered!

Stephanie: Your noble sacrifice will be remembered.

Damian: BROWN!

Stephanie, to camera: We now move deeper into the jungle, where another Wayne has been spotted.

*Camera switches to library, where Bruce is fast asleep, slumped over his desk*

[lilithschosen]

my liege, this I, Public-sex-but-they-get-caught lover. I have returned with another idea that came to me in a dream. unprofessional cop Agatha leaving a suspect in the car to bend her partner Agent Vidal over the hood... do you see the vision .... oh wow handcuffs

i don't have any Normal Answer for how i went with this? because it hit me suddenly i should add this to the possessive/jealous series since Rio and Agatha have shit goin on. but like.. what if... Alice.... enjoys it?

walk with me here

Somehow the force was short-staffed and they asked if Agatha would pick up a shift after promising time and a half. She nearly said no, too. But Rio promised she'd tag along, solely due to how little even goes on in Westview. 

For the most part, it was a slow night. The two sat at a busy intersection for the majority of the shift before driving off. They talk here and there, but otherwise are listening to the radio.

Once the walkie-talkie pinned to her shoulder chirped with her squad car's information, her head thuds back against the driver's seat. Rio chuckles under her breath, flipping the switch on the dashboard to turn the lights on. 

"You're cute with the uniform too," Rio flicks her tongue into her cheek, watching as Agatha lets out a dramatic, exhausted sigh. "Think we could keep it? Would love a bit of roleplay." 

Agatha picks her head up, groaning. "How are you so horny right now? I have to go play cop and arrest some fucking idiot." 

Rio laughs, buckling her seatbelt. She reaches across the center console to pat Agatha's thigh, hand lingering for a second before she takes it back. 

"Well, hope the idiot runs. You can just say they got away." 

Agatha starts the car, having been sat in the empty parking lot of the town grocery store. She doesn't turn the siren on, instead just leaving the flashing lights as she pulls out into the intersection. After the light turns green, she turns left, and continues driving as the walkie-talkie chirps again. 

Suspect was of an unknown age, in a full black ensemble was caught spray-painting a warehouse not too far from their position. They were stopped by the property owner and were being held for Agatha to scoop them up. The suspect was refusing to speak with the owner and had a mask on to hide their face. 

"Some punk ass defacing property," Agatha grips the steering wheel as she turns again, foot pressing harder on the gas pedal as she speeds. "Waste of my fucking time." 

Rio grabs onto the handle on the ceiling of the car, heart fluttering as she feels the cop car vibrate. "In a hurry, officer?" 

Agatha's eyes dart from the road to Rio and she breathes a laugh. After a couple more minutes, she turns into the parking lot of the warehouse. She flashes her high beams on, illuminating the building as she slows and eventually stops. An older man approaches, hands on the masked individual as he drags them toward the cop car.

Agatha throws the car into park but doesn't kill the engine, keeping the lights on as she exits the vehicle. Rio exits as well, but stuffs her hands in her pockets to watch. 

"Thank god someone showed up," the older man shouts, shoving the masked person forward. "This miscreant was spray painting my property. Take them away!" 

Agatha clears her throat, grabbing on her belt as she moves closer to the two people. The handcuffs attached to her side jingle together with each step. 

"What were you doing?" Agatha asks, a tone deeper than anyone was expecting. Rio shivers at it, biting part of her lip. "Trespassing on top of tagging? Good bit of jail time in your future." 

She watches the person roll their eyes before tugging their hand from the old man's grip. They shove down their hood and lift up their mask. Rio laughs abruptly as she recognizes the person.

"Agatha, I never thought I'd see you out here." 

Alice Wu-Gulliver stands sheepish, head low as she winces from Rio's obnoxious laughter. Agatha groans, shutting her eyes as she wishes for a meteor to strike her where she stands. 

"Come the fuck on Alice. You're an adult!" 

The older man frowns, crossing his arms over his chest. "Are you going to take her in?" 

Agatha raises a hand to the man, silencing him. "Does Jen know?" 

"Yeah, she knows. I promised I wouldn't get caught though. It's for an art piece!" 

Agatha grabs Alice by her hand, reaching across her to grab the other as she yanks her forward. "I got her, sir. Please go back to whatever you were doing. I'll take her in." 

The man gives a grateful smile before waving at her. They all stand awkwardly for a beat before he turns around and heads back into his building.

Agatha leads Alice to the car, stopping her at the backseat. "I'm not arresting you, but you'll have to act like it. I'll just drop you off at your place. God, this paper work is going to suck."

Alice sighs, rubbing the back of her neck. "Yeah, sorry. Jen's going to be pissed, too."

Rio hums, trying to stop herself from laughing again. She makes eye contact with Alice and just wiggles her eyebrows with a smirk on her face. Alice breaks the gaze, looking down to the ground as Agatha quickly opens the door and shuffles her in. 

Agatha reaches for the driver's side door, ducking in to shut the lights off before she stands and rests her forehead against the top of the car. Rio leans forward, standing on her tippy-toes to reach across and brush Agatha's hair with her fingertips. 

"Don't." 

Rio's hand stops, "Don't what?" 

Agatha picks up her head, pointing a finger at Rio. "Don't start right now."

Rio scrunches her nose, crouching down to look at Alice in the backseat. She ducks her head with her hand raised, waving off Rio. As she stands back up, she shrugs to Agatha. 

"She doesn't know what you're talking about either." 

Agatha presses her lips into a line, circling the car to face Rio. She pats at her hip until her hand hits metal. Before Rio has a chance to react, her arms are behind her back and Agatha is slapping handcuffs on her. 

She gasps, Agatha leading her away from the passenger side door to the hood of the car. 

"You wanna play your dumb little game, Rio?" she bites, folding Rio over the hood and kicking her feet apart with her boot. "I'll fucking play." 

Rio moans, face pressing against the cold metal of the cruiser hood. Agatha presses in behind her, bulge in her pants giving Rio something to grind up on. She grabs at the handcuffs on Rio's wrists with one hand while the other undoes her belt. 

Alice picks her head up at the thudding sound on the car and blushes furiously at the sight in front of her. She couldn't look anywhere else, the same as the last two times this has happened. Rio's head was turned away with Agatha fully focused on removing her belt. 

"You're fucking kidding me," Alice mumbles under her breath, leaning back in the seat. "Not again, dude.”

Agatha shifts her hips, belt buckle swinging by her side as it slips from the belt loops and falls to the ground by her feet. Rio grinds back again at the sound, work slacks providing less friction for her clit than ever before. She whines, lifting her head up from the cruiser to look back at Agatha. 

"You wanna get fucked by an officer, baby?" 

Rio nods, "I'm sorry I was speeding, sir. I can't have a ticket, I've always been a good girl." 

Agatha snorts a laugh, the over-acting from Rio nearly breaking her fully. She rolls her eyes, dropping her wrists and pins her to the car from behind. Pressing her crotch into Rio's ass, she slithers her hand down the front of Rio's slacks, then running it back up and underneath them.  Her fingers meet wet heat, no underwear. 

"Good girl, huh?" Agatha questions, "Seems like you're nothing but a slut to me. Were you planning to get caught and ditched your panties in hopes you'd be left off with a warning?" 

She parts Rio's folds with her middle finger, swallowing her own groan from how soaked Rio was. The walkie-talkie on her shoulder chirps but she ignores it, stroking Rio's slit as the woman mewls underneath her.

"You have the right to remain silent," Agatha roughly shoves down Rio's slacks, exposing her bare skin to the night air. "Anything you say can and will be used against you." 

"Fuck, daddy."

Agatha palms her ass, grabbing a fistful of the flesh while her other hand teases Rio's entrance. She smacks her ass cheek, watching the impact ripple out before she soothes the stinging spot with her palm. Rio's hips lift from the squad car, pressing into the bulge again. She hisses at the sensation of Agatha's uniform against her sensitive cunt, desperately grinding again and again.

"Tell daddy what you want, hon," Agatha's thumb lifts at the hem of Rio's white button up blouse, hand roaming up under it to trace along her spine. "Use your words." 

Rio whines, her brain fogging over with her desire. She lifts her hips once more, but Agatha's wandering hand finds it's way back to her side and pins her back against the cruiser. The car bounces gently from the force, making Alice look up at the two of them again. 

"Need you," Rio cries out, her lower belly being held against cold metal only stoking the fire that grows between her thighs. "Need you so bad." 

Agatha pouts mockingly. "So needy, baby. Always so needy for me." 

She drops to her knees, both hands now spreading Rio apart. Seeing Rio's dripping pussy so perfectly on display, her swollen clit and glistening folds has her mouth watering. 

She swipes her tongue up from her clit to her core, tip of her tongue circling with a brief promise of slipping inside before she licks back down to her clit. She sucks it into her mouth, holding it carefully between her teeth. Rio's fingernails scrape against the paint of the hood, puffing through her teeth as she grinds her hips against Agatha's mouth. 

Alice tries to look away but can't. As if she were fully entranced in her friends fucking in front of her. She feels guilty initially, not needing to watch like a pervert. But when Rio lifts her head to turn it and drop it back down on the hood, their eyes connect. Alice catches the sparkle of amusement before Rio's eyes close and she cries out Agatha's name.

Heat rushes to Alice's core, fingers twitching as she slowly slips a hand underneath her baggy cargo pants and spreads her legs. It's wrong to feel this way, the intense arousal from the display in front of her. She knows it's wrong. However, her mind starts to wander. Remembering those nights years ago when she was the one under Agatha. Feeling her rough hands on her thighs, lips on her neck. 

Alice swallows down the guilt as her fingertips press into her throbbing clit, hips bucking into her hand.

Rio's gasps have Agatha working harder, tongue lathering against her clit. She sucks and licks and prods at the engorged bundle of nerves, smirking against Rio's slick as Rio clenches around nothing. She cums with a high-pitched yelp, muffling herself by biting the back of her hand. 

Agatha shifts her head back with the lower half of her face coated in Rio's arousal. She swipes at her bottom lip with her thumb, sucking the leftover juices from it, and reaches for her pants. 

"I'm not done with you yet, babygirl." 

Rio blinks lazily, the intense orgasm just from Agatha's mouth making her grumble in response. She feels Agatha's firm hand on her hip again and she groans. Agatha tugs the toy out from her pants, guiding it to Rio's cunt. She holds the tip against her entrance, watching how fast Rio tries to push against it, trying to take it inside of her greedy hole. 

"Beg for it." 

Alice bites her lip from moaning too loud, eyes rolling into the back of her head as her other hand slips underneath her hoodie to twist a nipple. Guilt long gone now, her wet heat coating her hand as she continues to grind against it. 

"Please," Rio whimpers, "I need it, daddy. Fuck me with your cock, need to feel you in me." 

The corners of Agatha's mouth turn up in a subtle smirk, eyes lifting from Rio's backside to Alice in the car. She catches the sight of what Alice was doing and she grips her silicone toy around the base. She blinks, train of thought stuttering for a second before she lifts the toy off of Rio's pussy and taps the underside against her core. 

Rio breathes out a moan, bringing her arms underneath her head as she rests against them. Agatha does it again, the slick sound of her arousal against the toy was too loud in public but neither of them cared. 

As she lifts the shaft from Rio's cunt again, she thrusts her hips in while pointing the tip against her entrance. It slips in easily and Rio bounces herself on it without second thought.

Agatha lets Rio take it all, as much as she wants. She watches the toy disappear inside of her until the harness is against her skin, fully sheathed inside of her. She feels the resistance of Rio's walls tightening around her silicone cock and pumps her hips out then back in again. 

"You like being fucked in a parking lot at night, Rio?" Agatha pants, "Bet you would've wanted me to fuck you regardless if Alice was the perp, huh?" 

Rio can't speak, tongue-tied from the rough pace Agatha was setting inside of her. She feels the tip of the toy driving into her cervix and she just rocks back into her girlfriend to take it all, as she always does. 

Agatha's hand grips the back of Rio's head, pulling it up off her arms by her hair as she fucks her. "Come on, hon. You were so snarky before, where'd the brat go?" 

Rio cries out in her wanton lust, teeth bared to the night sky as Agatha ruts into her. Still unable to speak with her sex-induced brain fog, she grumbles out moans that increase in pitch each time Agatha drills her strap into her. 

Agatha, however, keeps an eye on Alice in the backseat. Her head is back against the seat, eyes closed as she furiously rubs at her clit while palming her breast. Agatha's lip curls in a snarl as she manages to fuck Rio harder. The car rocks underneath them, bouncing Alice gently as well. 

"Only I get to fuck you," she growls, loud enough for Alice to hear. "Only I can get your cunt this wet, only I can be this deep inside of you." 

Alice gasps quietly as she kicks a leg up against the driver's seat, fingers shaking as she plunges them inside of herself. Rio chants Agatha's name rapidly, tears welling in her eyes as her orgasm unfolds. She pleads with her, the jumbled words sounding like marbles in her mouth, and Agatha responds by staying consistently on the rhythm she set. 

Lightning flashes behind Rio's eyelids, pinching them shut as she cums. Her slick dribbles out around the toy and coats Agatha’s waist. Agatha chokes out her own moan as she cums as well, an arm wrapping underneath Rio's hips as she twitches and snaps her hips up into her. 

Alice's eyes are wide, watching her friends unfold as she strokes her walls with two fingers, curling them up in the right way, sending her into an orgasm as well. She collapses back against the seat, gasping for breath, and splays her hand under her hoodie against her stomach. 

She stares up at the ceiling of the cruiser, panic rising yet again at what unfolded. She wipes herself off of her fingers, smearing her juices against the inside of her pants before stuffing both hands inside the front pocket of her hoodie. The car stinks of sex, she realizes. Her cheeks tinged pink as her clit throbs with the dull, post orgasm reminder of what she did. 

Agatha pulls the toy out of Rio with a wet pop and she tucks it back into her pants. Having soaked through her boxers herself and Rio soaking her pants, she was surprisingly confident. She coughs, clearing her throat as she adjusts herself and her outfit. 

Once Rio regains herself, she chuckles. The deep exhaustion from her antics catches up to her as she tries to deliriously push off of the hood of the car but forgets about the cuffs keeping her hands behind her back. Agatha grabs her, steadying Rio for a beat before she unlocks the cuffs and rubs at the reddened spots left behind on her skin. She kisses the side of Rio's face, mumbling an apology. 

"Hold still, baby." 

She gently and delicately tugs Rio's slacks back up around her waist, patting her on the ass once they're buttoned tight. She takes Rio's hand in hers, squeezing her fingers affectionately, and guides her to the passenger side of the cruiser before tucking her into it. She extends the seatbelt, which Rio grabs and buckles herself in. Before Agatha can pull away, Rio puckers her lips for one final kiss. 

Agatha rolls her eyes playfully, accepting the kiss with a quick peck. "Love you." 

Rio smiles, head resting back as Agatha shuts the door and hurries to the driver's side. She sits down, starting the car, and shutting the door. A hand reaches up to adjust the mirror, eyes honing in on Alice in the backseat.

"So," Agatha finally says, "Are we gonna talk about this like adults? Or are we gonna pretend this never happened.”

Alice hesitates, not wanting to answer. She licks her lips nervously before scooting to the edge of the seat. “I don't even know what happened, honestly. But I don't mind if you don't mind.” 

Rio rolls her head to the side, hand reaching across the center console to grip Agatha's thigh. Agatha layers her hand over Rio’s as she takes hold of the steering wheel with the other. 

“This'll be a long ride home, then.” 

[cjswordsofwisdom]

Without Me || A & B Bridgerton x Fem!Reader

Tell me how's it feel sittin' up there? feeling so high but too far away to hold me. You know I'm the one who put you up there, name in the sky. Does it ever get lonely?

Thinking you could live without me. Thinking you could live without me. Baby, I'm the one who put you up there, I don't know why (yeah, I don't know why)

Depression hits hard when Anthony and Benedict leave you, but when they come back it gets even worse

Warnings; angst, some sexual content (grinding against thigh) mentions of miscarriage, cheating I guess (our girl goes back and forth a lot)

Stay away if you are under twenty one. I’m an adult who writes for adults

Tagging: @benophiepie, @quillsandcravats, @watermeezer, @cillianmurphysdimples @monaskydancer, @faye-tale, @munstysmind

You never know the last time you’ll see someone.

You stare down at the newspaper in your hands as your eyes drink in the smiling faces of Anthony and Benedict Bridgerton. It’s been almost four months since the last time you’d seen them and in that time they’d found a new sub: someone pretty and perfect and they seem rather happy with their lives. Your eyes pull away from the newspaper to the TV and your frown deepens, it's all over the news but you can’t look away. It’s rather like a train wreck.

A really ironic train wreck.

The woman settled between your two ex lovers is pretty enough. Her hair tumbles down her back in soft waves and she’s wearing an emerald gown with just the right amount of cleavage that would make a Monk blush. She’s smiling from ear to ear as she dances on the screen and you have to force yourself to turn off the TV before settling in bed and staring at the ceiling. You start a new job in the morning, and you’re not turning up to Will Mondrich’s boxing club looking like you’d been out on the town partying all night.

With a sigh, you roll on your side and face the wall and you decide that maybe tomorrow will be better.

*************

You’re wrong.

Will shows you the ropes of the club, the ins and outs of the workings and introduces her to a few other people. His business partner Simon waves a hello and Will’s wife Alice smiles from her seat, offering a small wave before she’s up and out of the door. But you’ve come here to work, not to make friends - You’re not even sure you can call Will a friend. Just a kind saviour who needed someone to step in for Alice sorting out invoices and when she goes on maternity leave

You’re grateful for the cup of coffee Will brings you as you file through paperwork and as you take your first hesitant swig, the door swings open. Youre not quite prepared to come face to face with the Men who used to lavish you with love and attention. The coffee spills down your shirt and onto the floor and the cup slips from your hand smashing on the floor.

Something in you switches as you apologise immensely for the mess before cleaning it up and heading into the back to change into the spare clothes you always keep with you.

Today just can’t get any worse.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine Simon. Promise” your head bobs furiously as you wipe your eyes and you take yourself away for a break to let yourself cry until you can no longer.

“Y/n.. It’s me, Alice” her voice calls through the bathroom door and it makes you cry harder “Will wanted to know if you were okay”

“I’m.. I’m fine” Hiccups leave your lips before you sob again and you hear Alice sigh before muttering something into a walkie-talkie “Found her babe.. Yeah I’ll fill in for her… Go easy on her hey baby? she’s having a panic attack”

You sniffle as you bury your face in your knees, trying to gain some semblance of control back when the door opens and a soft voice fills the room “Sweetling.. It’s Benedict, let me see your face”

“Go away.. Please. Let me grieve”

You’ve never really had to confront reality before. All your exes have always given you what you wanted: Time and space. But you know Anthony and Benedict won’t oblige to you this time. They will push and prod until you’re a screaming mess.

Opening the toilet cubicle, you straighten your back and walk out to the wash basin. Reaching for the taps is easy, you turn the red marked tap on and wash your face and hands then you tense up as Benedict pushes his chest to your back, moving the hair from your shoulder “You forget sweetling, we know what you need”

“I need to not torture myself anymore. I need to move on”

His lips are soft against your skin, and as much as you want to push him away the urge to keep him and have the pretty girl from the magazine find them is greater. You can feel the molecules of your heart stitching themselves back together and making you whole again. Your eyes dart to the door as it opens and you sigh as Anthony strolls in, closing it behind him “That wasn’t very smart was it sweetling. Having a panic attack on your first day of work”

Your broken mind scrambles for something to say before you’re pushing Benedict away and creating space between you and the Men who seem to invade your thoughts and feelings. The windows are too high to climb out from, so you decide to sit on the floor and relax - The worst they can do is make you cry.

They’re not the type of men to cheat on the Woman they’re with despite Benedict’s earlier slip-up. You can still feel his lips on your shoulder and neck as you try to find an escape route.

“I need to get back to work. I don't want to lose this job, I worked hard to get it in the first place”

As you stumble from the toilets, You only really have one thought

“I'm going to need to find a new job”

*********

The next few weeks are uneventful. You move in with Simon and two of his friends and find that you like being part in a group of friends. It’s easy to eat dinner with them most nights because they like your cooking. It ends up with you falling asleep on the sofa as they watch films or play video games but it all comes to a grinding halt when Anthony and Benedict come calling with a few items you left behind. You stare at the box wordlessly as thoughts run through your mind then you gasp as Simon’s friend Theodore walks up behind you, placing his hands on your waist as you shake “Shower’s getting cold, darling”

“Darling?”

“Yes.. This is my boyfriend. It’s all very new” Anthony is angry, you can see it behind his dark eyes. But he doesn’t show it around the male who’s holding HIS sweetheart

You see the gears turn in both men’s minds and the jealousy that fills Anthony’s eyes. If they can happily find someone new then you can as well, it’s just the rules of being exes. Theo’s fingers slip under the band of your sweatpants and you barely stifle a gasp that both the Bridgerton brothers catch.

Nothing’s happening with Theo, he’s far too in love with your downstairs neighbour but you’re glad of a lifeline right now. Leaning up, you peck Theo’s cheek murmuring about how you won’t be long then you step out of the apartment you share with your new-found family.

A gasp leaves your lips as you’re pushed into the wall opposite the front door with Benedict’s hand around your neck squeezing just the right of painful. Your hands grip his wrist and you stifle a whimper as he leans in, not at all phased by your lack of wanting him to let go and Anthony smiles brushing his thumb over your lips

“L-Let go” You shove weakly at someone’s chest and gasp as Benedict’s lips lower to yours. You know Benedict wont do anything without your permission - He never does, nor does Anthony. It’s not their style.

They may have broken your heart and they may be attractive Men but they know what consent is.

“Our sweetling.. Why have you settled with a little boy?”

Your answer almost makes Benedict let go “Because you left me. You tossed me away and found the next willing person to please you both”

You still, tensing up as Anthony leans down, sucking at your pulse point and everything drifts away. The pretty girl they have now, the break up, your loneliness - All gone with a simple touch and you cling to whoever’s touching you like he’s a lifeline - Because they both are.

Desperate fingers grip the jacket on Benedict’s shoulders before you push it down as his lips trail down one side of your neck as Anthony’s trail down the other side of your neck.

With a whine, you grind down on Benedicts thigh as Anthony’s lips continue their slow assault on your skin, their kisses are languid trailing up and down and you stifle your moan biting your lip “Tell us to stop. And we will”

“Don’t stop.. Please don’t stop”

The weight of what’s happening is crushing your shoulders, you’re not a homewrecker. And Alice will no doubt give you hell when you get to work on Monday Morning for falling back into old habits and dangerous patterns.

“You’re thinking too hard, little dove”

“You’ve found someone new”

Everyone stops in their tracks and the men accompanying you press you tighter between their bodies. You look so lost and despondent as you fold your arms around yourself, seeking comfort they should have given you. Anthony and Benedict exchange glances before turning back to the woman they love and your body shudders as you silently sob.

It’s painful for Anthony and Benedict to see you so upset. You’ve not said a word in months, choosing to remain radio silent while you healed from the turmoil you went through. With a teary face you glance up at Anthony and Benedict and let out a pathetic whimper that goes straight to their trousers.

It shouldn’t turn them on but it foolishly does.

“You’re taken again and I’m alone and sad and… Fuck”

You let out a pathetic laugh, sniffling as you look around “I was pregnant. Pregnant and I had a miscarriage alone”

You sit down on a bench in the lobby and your hands grip the bench tightly. After weeks of trying to piece together a normal life you’re finally getting the courage to face the issues head on. You glance up at your two ex-lovers, both staring at you with parted lips and everyone is silent “It would have been a girl. I was going to name her Daphne”

“After our sister?”

You nod quietly, fingernail scratching against the paint of the well loved bench as Anthony kneels before her. His hand brushes back your hair and you let your head fall on his shoulder, arms going around his broad shoulders

“Oh my sweetling.. What happened?”

You shrug silently. Slumping back against the wall behind you, too far lost in your mind to even realise that Anthony has you up in his arms and is now carrying you from the building - You don’t argue, relaxing in his hold and breathing in his cologne.

The world can wait for now. The pretty new girl can wait for now.

Everything is as it should be

[carolperkinsexgirlfriend]

Steddie Upside-Down AU Part 62

Part 1 Part 61

Will stares down at his walkie-talkie, hand clutched so tight around it that its body creaks. Mike pries it gently from his grip. They all stand silently on the sidewalk, kids pushing past on their way up to get more candy.

“Who’s Steve?” Max asks.

It’s like she breaks some hold Jonathan’s echoing words had on him. Will starts running. If Steve is missing, they’ll find him. Luckily, Loch Nora is one of the only places that gives out full bars, sometimes. Still, it’s a hilly neighborhood, and the Harrington’s live right at the top.

Mike’s already complaining beside him, but he keeps up, Dustin trailing behind, determined but quickly huffing with exertion.

“Why are we running?” Max calls, trailing behind the entire pack of them with Lucas at her side, but still following dutifully along. “Who the hell is Steve?”

“He’s like—our babysitter?” Lucas replies, not sounding winded at all. Clearly deciding that’s too embarrassing, he continues, “no wait! Not like—he saved Will’s life when he and Eddie got lost in the woods last year and now, they’re blood brothers or something.”

They’ve all told the lie so many times, it rolls smoothly off the tongue. He got lost in the woods. Steve and Eddie found him. End of story. But Lucas says it like it’s a lie, and Max’s scoff says clearly, she knows it.

“Whatever, stalker,” she says, huffing along behind Will at that same frenetic pace.

Will can feel the tether pulling him the right way – three dots converging on a map. Eddie beats him. He can feel that, too, before he even sees Eddie’s van parked in the Harrington’s long driveway. It’s sideways, taking up the entirety of the driveway like he’d parked in a hurry.

The headlights are still on, beaming brightly against the tree planted in the Harrington’s front yard, highlighting the way its willowy stalks sway in the breeze. Three car doors are left open, flung wide and abandoned.

Will picks up his pace, even as breathing becomes more and more difficult. The front door is open, a mouth ready to swallow them all. He passes the threshold into noise.

All the lights are still off in the foyer. It’s like being in a cave, dark and hungry. He can’t see the ceiling. It feels vast. Like they’re just ants. He pauses, just for a second, to stare up at it, feeling so very small.

There’s a light on upstairs, illuminating bits of beige carpet. Voices tumble out of it, screaming and crying, like the light is fire, and they’re all burning up in it.

Will’s feet slip and slide on the stairs. He doesn’t fumble for a light switch, just runs up, crawls hands and feet the rest of his way when he slips. Footsteps thunder up behind him. Will doesn’t turn around, can’t.

The bedroom he steps into his bright after the darkness, and it’s like a renaissance painting, given movement. The way Barbara and Nancy are screaming at a girl Will's never seen before, gestures effusive, voices too loud as they toss them around the small room. Jonathan stands between them, back to Will staring into the recesses of an open closet.

Eddie’s there, crying. He sounds like a wounded animal. Like that rabbit Lonny had caught in his snare while it wailed and wailed and wailed. Clothes and hangers are raining down around the pair of them, knocked from the bar with the force Eddie’s shaking Steve’s shoulders with. It’d hurt if Steve was there.

But he isn’t.

Steve’s eyes are vacant. Like all the life’s been sucked right out of him. Will shudders. Stands. Waits. He’s always waiting.

Someone pushes into Will’s back – one of his friends trying to push through to get into the room from where he’s still lingering on the threshold.

The tether snaps, like Lucas’ slingshot being fired, with Will as the ball. He rockets toward them, dropping to his knees hard enough to hurt even on the plush carpet.

“Eddie?” he says.

Eddie doesn’t look at him, can’t seem to stop making that horrible noise that’s lodged itself in Will’s own throat. But he scoots to the side, and Will slots into his place at both of their sides.

“Steve?” Will says, so quietly he wouldn’t have been able to hear it even if he was awake. Not over Eddie.

Will hovers his hands over Steve’s shoulder, wanting to touch but so afraid he’ll be cold.

“Steve?” he tries again.

Steve stares and stares and stares.

Will lowers his hand, feels the warmth of skin, and then nothing at all.

Part 63

Taglist: @deany-baby @estrellami-1 @altocumulustranslucidus @evillittleguy @carlprocastinator1000 @1-8oo-wtfbro @hallucinatedjosten @goodolefashionedloverboi @newtstabber @lunabyrd @cinnamon-mushroomabomination @manda-panda-monium @disrespectedgoatman @finntheehumaneater @ive-been-bamboozled @harringrieve @grimmfitzz @is-emily-real @dontstealmycake @angeldreamsoffanfic @a-couchpotato @5ammi90 @mac-attack19 @genderless-spoon @kas-eddie-munson @louismeds @imhereforthelolzdontyellatme @pansexuality-activated @ellietheasexylibrarian @nebulainajar @mightbeasleep @neonfruitbowl @beth--b @silenzioperso @best-selling-show @v3lv3tf0x @bookworm0690 @paintsplatteredandimperfect

[writing-whenever-whatever]

We’ll be ok sweetheart-you go down then I go down with you

Eddie Munson x reader 

Part 1 part 2. Part 3

Summary: after a few days your patients are running thin Eddie decides to try to take your mind off things just to be walked in on and the seriousness of the situation comes flooding back. 

Warning: MDNI, 18+, p in v sex, bit of knife play, blood, biting, scratching, pet names, f!oral, teasing, moaning, cream pie, praise, comfort, mention of death, not proof read 

———————————————————————

A few days have passed and I’m starting to get restless I’m sat in the living room my knees in my chest as Eddie sits with the walkie talkie at his side ready for anyone to report something, I can’t help but let out a deep sigh “ Ed” I look at him dark bags have formed under my eyes from lack of proper sleep as I fidget uncomfortably “ I can’t stay here much longer. I need to do something“ he looks down at me “ what do you mean “ he asks moving towards me “ we’re sat around doing nothing, I’m bored Eddie” I sigh looking at him an exhausted expression on my face “I’m used to going out, performing at the the hide out, messing around with Gareth and Jeff” I look down noticing tears in my eyes “ I wanna go home Eddie” he sighs moving next to me he tucks his arm around me “ i know “ his voice is low as he whispers to me brushing my hair behind my ear “ but trust me baby we have to stay here” I sigh resting my head on him “ cooped up in this shit hole” I giggle slightly resting my head back on him 

he leans in to my ear his voice low and gruff “ at least we get a bit of alone time” I smirk slightly blush rising to my cheeks as I straddle his lap his hands instantly moving to my hips as he chuckles “ Is this what you want” he leans himself onto the crook of my neck his kisses leaving dark purple marks “ you wanted something to do so here we are” he smirks as heavy gasps and moans leave my lips, I grind downwards onto his growing bulge in his jeans “ Eddie~” I gasp kissing him passionately his lips needy and hungry against mine.

I start by taking of my band tee first revealing my lacy black bra my tits spilling  out the top of it, eddies hands instantly go to the clasp playing with it in his hand trying to undo it fumbling about slightly he picks up my switch blade “ fuck it who needs bras” he smirks a glint in is eyes as he cuts down the middle making it ping open, I gasp as the cold blade nicks my skin causing a small gash between my breasts he leans in licking along my tits the metallic taste filling his mouth causing him to let a low moan escape him “ fuck” I gasp my hand tangling into his long curls holding him there as he moves his other hand to give attention to my other tit. 

He slowly starts to kiss back up my neck our lips slamming back together tongues dancing together as he flips me under him his hands undoing the button to my shorts pulling them down then throwing them onto the floor I look up at him my breath heavy as i giggle “ fuck Eds I’ve missed this” I smile as he bites my bottom lip a smirk on his lips “ I’ve missed this more baby” his hand slips between my thighs teasing my pussy though my underwear my head leans back slightly as I gasp “ please Eddie~” I gasp slightly as he pushes a finger into my core “ you’re so wet” he chuckles teasingly as he rubs my clit with his thumb causing a desperate moan to escape my lips “ mmm~fuck~” I bite my lip pulling it between my lips trying to muffle my cries as he pushes another finger into me “ you gonna be a good girl “ he asks looking down at me a smug look on his face “ yes~”

 I gasp as his fingers push deeper into me curling as they hit my g spot my face screws up slightly as i cry out making him chuckle “ you gonna cum for me~” he teases his voice vibrating against my thigh as he kisses and bites up my thigh towards my cunt causing me to quiver under his touch “ yes~” I gasp louder as the cold air hit me my underwear being pulled off, I watch as Eddie leans down his tongue teasingly laps at my clit I let out a desperate whine as his fingers soon reunite with that sweet spot inside of me “ you taste so sweet~” he chuckles his voice vibrating against me as my head nods my eyes rolling back slightly as he rips my first orgasm from me unexpectedly my release hitting him quickly as he laps at my cunt my moans louder than before as he continues consume me ignoring the quivering in my legs as he takes what he wants.

I soon grasp onto his hair pulling him back up to me I kiss him passionately his lips glistening with my cum, I blush violently the sweet taste on his lips makes me hum into it my arms wrapping around his neck holding him close to me his breath fanning across my face as he smirks down at me. I lean up to him kissing him more my tongue slipping into his mouth, I run my hand down his front moving down towards his hard cock in his jeans undoing the buckle quickly and slipping my hand into his boxers, a gruff moan leaves eddies lips as I stroke his cock in slow sloppy motions. 

“ fuck” he groans biting his bottom lip as he kicks his jeans and boxers off I can’t help but beg for him “please ~I need you Eds~” I sigh my voice slipping into a whiny need as I look up at him through my lashes, he lets out a smug chuckle while kissing my jaw “ such a needy girl~” his voice vibrates against my neck a shiver running down my body as he lines himself up slowly thrusting inside of me my eyes fluttering closed as a moan leaves my lips, he slowly pushes more of himself inside the stretch causing a pleasant sting to spread through me a whimper escapes me gripping onto him tighter my nails digging into his back drawing blood “ you’re ok sweetheart, I got you~” his voice a soothing whisper as he lets me adjust to the stretch.

I fidget slightly moving my legs up to hook around him as he starts pounding into me at a brutal pace his grip on my hips causing light bruises to form moans escape me my head falling back as he kisses down my neck animalistic grunts hitting my skin goose bumps forming under his hot breath “ fuck~don’t stop~” I gasp moaning desperately as his pace grows faster I can’t help the long whine that escapes me as oir lips smack together my moans muffled slightly as I can hear our skin slapping together between my loud moans and eddies animalistic growls “ FUCK~” I cry out loudly feeling my body grow tighter as he lands a hard slap across my thigh, he pulls out completely bottoming out before thrusting in harder and harder hitting the sweet spot in me. My cunt clenching around him my moans change  getting higher and louder my eyes roll back in my head my hands start dragging down his back leaving long scratches in their place “ PLEASE EDDIE~~PLEASE BABY~~” I scream out my legs shaking as my head starts to fog over with pleasure “ I’m gonna cum~~” he groans into my ear pounding into me more as something snaps within me and I release around him releasing everything onto his cock and drenching the curls around the base of his cock I“ that’s it good girl~ you’re so good for me~” he moans as his thrusts grow sloppy cumming deep inside of me thrusting deeper into my walls loosing himself to his release. 

My head falls back panting  for air as he collapsed on top of me peppering kisses along my jaw “love you” I gasp my voice barely audible from moaning. Eddie rolls to the side moving me to lay resting my head on the crook of his neck as he holds me close pulling a blanket over us “ you’re so amazing~“ he chuckled slightly his fingers running through my hair gently “ get some rest baby” he pulls me closer watching my eyes flutter shut feeling the most relaxed i have in days as he lights up a cigarette smoking it as I fall asleep in his arms. 

———————————————————————

I’m woken up by the sudden noise of the door opening, I sit up slightly my legs still weak from earlier Eddie covers me with the blanket his hand strokes my cheek gently as we hear Dustin call out “ delivery service ” from the door way. Him and Steve are holding bags of supplies, as they walk into the living room staring at the state they see in front of them in shock I can’t help but laugh “ well umm I mean good for you two I guess” Steve stutters his face glowing red as he grows flustered “ that’s one way to take your mind of things” Dustin gulps his hands covering his eyes looking only through the cracks of his fingers. 

“ take a picture it’ll last longer” Eddie scoffs as he stands up, he’s half dressed pants on but still shirtless as he takes a bag from dustin “what you get for us then ah?” He tries to change the subject as they walk into the room more, Steve’s eyes not leaving me for a second “ like what you see, pervert” I bite my lip teasingly as I let the blanket slip down slightly he instantly looks away making me lay back laughing more as he rushes to where the other boys are unpacking the bags. 

While they’re busy I get myself dressed and light up a cigarette managing to stand up my legs still wobbling as I make my way towards Eddie. When get to his side his arm instantly wraps around my waist supporting me as I stand looking at the food that’s across the side of the counter the cigarette still placed between my lips as I take a long drag I pick up a pack of lollies “ my favourite “ I smile looking at both Steve and Dustin “ how did you know “ I giggle as a blush rises to their faces “ lucky guess” Dustin smiles at us both before stepping behind the counter 

“ how’s it been going” Steve looks at Eddie “ you know staying here “ Eddie lets out a sigh “ it’s been ok, but she’s starting to get frustrated” I rest my head back on him “ when can we leave” I whine slightly as Eddie squeezes my waist “ to he honestly y/n we don’t know “ Steve admits looking at me as a bit of hope fades from me as I nod taking another puff from my cigarette then getting it taken from me by Eddie.

“ hey we’re fine” he looks at me taking my hands in his as robin and max walk in causing me to jump slightly at the sudden noise” Jesus “ i fall back into Eddie who catches me quickly  “ fuck sorry didn’t mean to scare you” robin blabbers her hand touching my shoulder gently as she apologises  Max looks at me her lips forming a thin line as she sits on the side of the counter “ little miss jumpy is back” he sighs looking at me his head resting on top of mine his hair falling in front of my face as everyone comes into the room 

“ now everyone’s here we need to talk” Dustin looks at Eddie his eyebrows furrowing slightly “ we have good news and bad news” I sigh “ what can be worse than what it already is” I look at him rolling my eyes slightly he ignores my comment looking at Eddie “how do you prefer it” Eddie looks down at me “ bad news first always” he takes a swig of beer before resting close behind me. “ ok bad news, we hacked into Hawkins pd dispatch with our cerebro, and they’re definitely looking for you, both of you” he looks at us as I sigh my hand running through my hair “also they’re pretty convinced you both did kill Chrissy” he adds on I look down slightly trying to stop myself from loosing my temper “ like 100% kind of convinced” max adds looking at both of us as i pace the room 

“ what’s the good news” Eddie asks voice full of concern “ your names aren’t public yet, but if we know about you it’s a matter of time before others do and once it gets out everyone and their shallow minded mother is gonna be coming for you” robin says ringing her hands together as I look at her a sarcastic laugh escaping me “ ah yeh fucking great news” I snap slightly as Eddie looks at me “ hunt the freaks right” he mutters his voice trembling slightly “ exactly “ she sighs “so before this happens we need to find bean kill him and prove your innocence “ Dustin says a smile on his face “ sounds so fucking simple “ my voice dripping with sarcasm “ yeh Dustin that’s all “ Eddie adds his back now slumped against the wall “ yeh that’s pretty much it” he looks at Steve and the others confirming with them. 

“ listen Eddie I know it sounds totally insane but we’ve been through this stuff before I mean they have a few times and I have once mines more human based and theirs a bit more smoke related but bottom line is collectively I really feel like we’ve got this” robin rambles on slightly as i stare at her “ you see we usually rely on this girl who has super powers but uh, those went bye bye so we’re currently in the “ 

Steve pauses “ brainstorming faze” max says ab awkward smile on her face as i sink to the floor “ i feel overwhelmed “ i mutter head in my hands “ there’s nothing to worry about” Dustin tried to reassure me but fails “ all you need to know y/n is that we’ve got this” Steve looks at me his eyes making direct eye contact with me as i look up at him nodding “ ok” I whisper quietly mostly to myself than anyone else.  

Then we hear the sirens of police cars getting closer I panic getting as low to the ground as possible Eddie doing the same as the others rush to the window watching them pass quickly heading towards the main road. “ stay here” Steve instructs both me and Eddie “ we’ll be back when it’s safe ok” soon we’re left alone again just me and Eddie huddled together on the floor “ you know I hate all of this shit Eds” I look back at him as he nods “ I’m not the biggest fan of it either sweetheart, but here we are” he sighs waiting to hear from them on the walkie talky. 

After a few hours we hear an update on the radio another body found a student from Hawkins high found in suspicious circumstances bones broken and eyes missing I sit up at this point looking at Eddie “ this is just gonna get worse “ I look at him as he sighs his hand holding mine “ don’t try to sugar coat this Eds, if they can’t sort this shit out we’re gonna end up dead”  “ I know” he sighs looking at me “ this is why we needs to make the most of every second we have with each other we can’t spend our time arguing” he looks at me “ I love you y/n and I always will” he kisses my cheek gently “ I love you too Eds” I rest my head on his shoulder looking up at him as we hear the police cars move into the distance

 “ I won’t let anything happen to you” he looks down at me “ no matter what your safety is my priority so if something ever happens to me I want you to run” I move away from him slightly “ what are you talking about” my eyebrows furrow slightly as he looks at me “ I’m serious if I get caught I don’t want you getting caught to” I shake my head at him “ don’t be an idiot if you go down then I go down with you that’s been the deal from the start of this relationship and it will continue to the very end” I look at him as he opens his mouth to protest I put my hand over it shutting him down“ no that’s final Eddie “ he takes a deep breath “ fine” he mumbles looking at me as I move my hand away from his mouth “ good” I sigh resting my head back against him “ don’t be stupid, you’re not the only one in this mess”. as it gets darker sleep doesn’t seem to come easy as we huddle together listening to the radio quietly hearing the reports come flooding in bring more fear and anxiety with it.

[fuctacles]

The last chapter is here! With the 2nd art piece from @penny00dreadful I'm so glad I could work with her for the @steddiebang2024 <3 It was a wild ride but it's finally done!

Steve opens the bathroom door, releasing the steam from his shower so he doesn't slow cook himself while finishing his evening routine. 

"Would you mind if I changed up the bathroom? The dark colors aren't doing this for me!" he calls out with half a smirk while fishing out his toothbrush.

"Yes, I would mind!" Eddie answers him loudly through the distorted voice from the walkie. Steve only smiles to himself and starts brushing his teeth. 

He doesn't realize he has company until something appears in the fogged corner of his mirror. Eddie draws him a frowning face, making Steve raise his eyebrows. 

"I'm not actually going to change your bathroom, calm down."

There is clearly not enough room for Eddie to express himself, so he only adds an exclamation mark. Steve walks over to the bathroom door. 

"What is it?" he asks, mildly annoyed.

"I've finished my book," Eddie complains through the walkie placed on the bed. 

On Steve's spare pillow lies another Pratchett book he managed to hunt down. It's indeed flipped to its last page. 

"Already?! You just started it!"

"I started it two hours ago," Eddie corrects him.

"Still! If you keep reading this fast there won't be enough books in the store!"

"There are other stores. Will you please bring me another one?"

Steve crosses his arms.

"Or you could go to sleep." He points out, raising an eyebrow. 

"Pleeease Steve. Only one chapter. I'll be good."

Steve sighs. He's heard these 'one chapter' lies for almost half of his life. 

"Fine. But don't come complaining when you run out of things to read."

"I won't! Promise."

He acts grumpy but is more than happy to bring Eddie his books. Hearing his excitement when Steve brought them was reward enough. Now he grabs the rest of the books from the pile and brings them back to spread them on the bed. 

"Pick your poison, Munson."

Eddie hums through the walkie-talkie. 

"The Gaiman one looks good."

"Okay." Steve swaps his previous book with the new one. He can almost imagine a man lying next to him on his stomach, flipping it open. 

"Thanks, man."

"Don't mention it." Steve gets up to switch off the light. "This okay?" he asks, trying to gauge if the bedside lamp's light is enough to read by. 

"Yeah, it's alright."

He walks back to bed to tuck himself in for the night even though he knows he won't fall asleep anytime soon. It's too new, being able to hear Eddie by his side and see the evidence of his presence in the flipping pages. 

"Is it fun?" he asks, unable to stop himself. 

"It seems promising. I could read it for you?" Eddie offers. 

"Oh. No, it's alright." He wants to but doesn't want to ruin Eddie's experience. He's been so excited to get his hands on the new books. 

"It's no problem, really. I'd love to use my new voice privileges."

Steve chuckles at that. 

"Well then, by all means."

Eddie doesn't hesitate and even through the radio static, manages to pull Steve into the story. It shouldn't be surprising that he likes storytelling and showmanship, adding unique voices to all the characters. It's a shame that Steve falls asleep before the end of the chapter. 

Eddie's hair is splayed over the pillow like a dark cobweb. He's shaking, little tremors running through his body, and his mouth is open in a perfect o-shape. Steve feels the need to spit right into it and he doesn't hesitate long to indulge that thought. The loud moan he gets in response is all the reward he needs.

"Thank you, holy shit, thank you," Eddie mumbles after swallowing the spit given to him. The blissed-out look on his face fills Steve with pride. He did it. He reversed the local heartthrob into a babbling mess. 

read full on Ao3

[butternuggets-blog]

Go-at Peacefully Into The New Year

A Discovery of Witches, Fluff/Humor

New Year's Eve, 1966

Gallowglass stepped into the room with an emphatically nonchalant air. He shut the door behind him as Marcus, Jack and Martin looked up from their card game.

'If anybody asks, I was with you all night.'

'What did you do?' Martin frowned.

'Nothing. I was here with you all night.'

-weewoo-weewoo-weewoo-

A firetruck zipped by, lights flashing. Martin stared at the window after it, alarmed.

-weewoo-weewoo-weewoo-weewoo-

Three more fire engines raced by in quick succession.

'What did you do?!' Jack and Marcus chorused.

'The roof.' Martin threw his hand down and brushed past a protesting Gallowglass. 'Come on!'

****

The roof of the hotel gave a panoramic view of the park in the middle of the square. A towering inferno, some thirteen foot high, was blazing in the middle of it, firemen scrambling to unroll hoses and set up a corden to keep curious onlookers at a safe distance.

Martin gaped. He turned slowly to look at Gallowglass; his face was the same colour as his hair and he looked like he was trying to melt into the floor.

'..Eric-'

Gallowglass winced.

'-is that the goat?!'

'I didn't mean to!' Gallowglass protested, throwing his hands up defensively. 'I was just having a cigarette!'

Martin sighed. 'How?!'

Gallowglass looked sheepish. 'I..may have let the butt roll away from me.'

'You're supposed to stub out cigarettes,' Marcus commented helpfully. Jack was sketching the burning statue, capturing the essence of the moment in, ironically, charcoal.

'I did!' Gallowglass whined.

'Not successfully,' Martin glowered.

________________________________________________________________

'-and that's why we're here,' Gallowglass explained, glancing through his binoculars at the town stretched out before him. The square was still there, prettily decked-out in Christmas lights. The Gävle Goat stood tall and proud above the trees, icicles hanging from its horns.

'So we're going to burn down the goat,' Phoebe lowered her binoculars to stare at the side of Gallowglass' head. 'Commiting international arson, all to spite Baldwin who insists that this "tradition" be put to rest?'

'Exactly!' Martin army-crawled up beside them and pulled a map out of his lapel pocket. 'Right. Baldwin's hunkered down in the hotel with his usual command centre of walkie-talkies. Gallowglass?'

'I see them,' Gallowglass was scanning the square. 'Groups of three patrolling each corner of the park; four snipers on the rooftops and-'

He switched the binoculars to nightvision. '-one holding the fort on the manhole cover, east side.'

'Wow..' Phoebe's jaw dropped. 'You guys really take it that seriously?'

'Not always,' Martin was fishing a round, small stone out of his jacket pocket. 'But times changed and it just wasn't feasible to keep using flaming arrows and the like so we've both had to step up our game.'

'Time.' Gallowglass muttered, checking his watch.

Martin pulled a glove off and placed the stone in the palm of his hand. He squeezed it tight until the warmth from his skin leached into the stone, his other hand gripping his binoculars.

All three watched as the poor bastard holding fort at the manhole was suddenly yanked into it, Diana popping up from below.

'Contact!' Martin grinned.

Diana wove a knot and fog began to pour from the vent, rapidly obscuring the route around the park. As it hit each security team, they began swaying on their feet before delicately crumpling to the ground.

'Sleeping like babes' Gallowglass grinned.

Next, the wind picked up. The fog started to dissipate as Diana rose into the air. Without warning a barrage of gunfire hit her, engulfing her in a hail of bullets from four different directions at once.

Phoebe hissed in shock. Martin grabbed her hand.

'It's alright.. they're rubber bullets, remember?' he soothed. 'Baldwin wants her disarmed, not dead.'

'Besides-' Gallowglass was fiddling with a black controller covered in switches and knobs. '-Matthew would kill him if he actually hurt her.'

There was a gentle hum no human ears would be able to detect and a sleek, see-through drone rose from the opposite embankment. Gallowglass piloted it carefully through the snowy topography as Martin watched the monitor app on his phone, spouting directions.

'Through the grate..right...left...left again..okay, now straight up-'

The drone climbed stealthily up above the grate Diana had previously occupied. Taking advantage of the distraction the shielded witch was providing, Gallowglass kept the drone as low to the ground as possible until he had manoeuvred it behind one of the massive goat legs.

'Climb and fire! Climb and fire!'

The drone sped up the leg. Coming level with the goat's chest, it released a great gout of flame from the flamethrower attached to its undercarriage which caught quickly, eating through the statue's front in seconds.

Martin, Phoebe and Gallowglass cheered, whooping and laughing as the goat quickly became engulfed. Through her binoculars, Phoebe spotted a dejected-looking Baldwin holding his head in his hands as Diana alighted on the windowsill beside him. She couldn't hear what Diana said next, but Baldwin gave her a nasty glare and shoved the cackling witch off the ledge.

Bursts of colour suddenly filled the sky elsewhere in the city. Great whirls of blue, green, red and gold rocketed up, the pop of the fireworks mingling with the distant cheers and singing of the city's inhabitants.

Phoebe linked arms with Martin and Gallowglass. She smiled.

'Happy New Year!'

[pascalfaye]

Hoping this finds the right people: a little late for Stranger Things Day, but I will update in parts 🖤

Why’d You Have To Be A Hero?

TAGS: Canon Continuing, Angst, Major Character Death, Fix It, Steve has trauma, Near Death Experience, Out of Body Experience, Ghost Eddie

“Come in, Babysitter! — fuck it, STEVEEE!!”

The radio crackled with Dustin’s frantic voice, disrupting the new silence. Vecna lay burning on the ground outside the Creel house. Steve, Nancy, and Robin stood over him on the decrepit porch.

Steve unhooked the walkie from Robin’s shoulder. “Dude, are you topside yet? What’s wrong?”

“Eddie. He, he cut the sheets..” Dustin could barely stumble the words out. “He’s still in the Upside Down! The bats… they were everywhere… there were too many—“

The walkie whined sharply and Steve winced, pulling the device away from his ear, a pit forming in his stomach. “Dustin! Dustin, come in!”

“—tried to get him to come back… can’t… danger…” The static was so bad Steve only picked up every few words.

His feet were moving before he made a decision. “I’m coming, just hold on!” Panic like fire coursed through his veins. I fucking told you to not be a hero! Damn it, Eddie! He had been clear about getting out. What did Munson think he had to prove?

“Steve! Wait!” Robin called after him, following him a pace or so down the stairs. “What should we do..?”

Steve looked over his shoulder, pausing slightly. He made eye contact with Nancy. “I… it’s Dustin…”

“Go! We’ll finish this,” Nancy cocked her shotgun confidently. “We’ll meet you at the trailer gate!”

“Get out as soon as you can!” Steve yelled as he tore into a run. He knew he could make it to the cursed Munson trailer on foot. What he didn’t know was what he would find when he got there. He heard a quick pop-pop of the shotgun behind him as Nancy shot Vecna, and then silence again.

——+++——+++——

Pain.

Just pain.

Eddie lay face up towards the sky, bats clouding his vision, ravaging his body.

At least I’ll be a hero.

Searing, tearing pain radiated from everywhere, his sides, his neck, his arms, his legs.

I didn’t run this time…

Blood slipped down his chin and neck, thick and warm.

God, I didn’t say goodbye to Wayne. I’m going to die here and I didn’t even give the old man that much…

Far off, like through water, shouting and yelling resounded from the direction of the trailer.

Dustin. Poor kid. He’ll never forgive me…

Bats skittered and screamed as they fought over his mangled form.

Steve… he’ll never forgive me either. Told me to not be a hero… or cute… can’t be cute for Steve now…

With a crack of lightning, the bats let out one discordant shriek and suddenly, like they had been turned off with a switch, they dropped out of the sky. One landed with a wet thud on Eddie’s chest. Blood gurgled up from his mouth.

Can’t be with Steve…

Eddie was too delirious to ponder why that was his last thought. His vision blurred. The sky crackled with thunder. Then nothing.

No pain.

Blessed silence.

TO BE CONTINUED

[lonely-north-star]

jewelry maker mammon x retail worker mc pt 2

hi guys, two people asked for part two and now I'm here. Did not expect people to find enjoyment in this.

Part one above, not sure how to shorten it on mobile. Once again, this is me projecting onto my MC because I'm not suffering alone. Anyway, more craft store silliness !!

-Mammon attends the hiring event, dressed in a button down shirt and his hair combed. It's his Lucky Interview Outfit™

-He's kinda nervous because he really would like to work here and doesn't want to blow his chance

-The store manager recognizes him, and Mammon can't tell if this is good or bad

-Good because he's already got him laughing, and it helps brush over the fact that there's a few gaps in his resume

-The manager admits he had hoped to see Mammon there and it's good to put a name to a face

-Asks Mammon what he wants to work as, which Mammon kinda shrugs at, saying he's pretty flexible, but reminds him he's already good with the beads

-Says they'll label him as a floor person and put him anywhere as needed

-His first day is filled with training which he finds extremely boring until MC comes in to the break room

-She stops in her tracks and is stunned to see him there, before she recovers and smiles at him

"You're gonna work here now?"

"Nah, they just gave me a vest and name badge for nothing."

-She huffs and side eyes him as she grabs her equipment, rolling her eyes when she puts her bag away. Turns around, handing him a yellow star sticker

"For your badge."

-Suddenly he's even more eager to finish training and get to work

-His first days, he works short shifts during her hours and trains on the register (because everyone needs to know they claim)

-MC falls short of shaking him, sternly telling him to ask questions, no, she will not get mad. Yes, she may look irritated but she always looks like that. She'd rather you ask.

-They let him take over on his third day and he has great interactions with every customer

-He gets two credit card applications immediately. Had to walkie for help because he knew the script, but not the process (because no one ever gets them)

-The manager group chat receives a single photo of his tally sheet from the store manager because "Five sign ups! Three protection plans! Where has this cashier been my whole career? 🔥"

-He quickly becomes a favorite because of how good his numbers are

-No one knows how he does it but as long as higher ups aren't breathing down their neck everyone is happy

-It's because he's extremely motivated by the sticker rewards MC gives out. They're scented

-He might be good at the register but he hates staying up there when it's slow because he feels trapped. He can only recover the queue line so much guys

-Will beg to go on the floor if he's met the goal for the week and there's another person scheduled. Or will work to make the goal first and then beg to switch places

-On Fridays he works mornings in order to do jewelry repacks (Repacks are boxes of mixed products that get sent to us that we have to sort into other boxes by department. These things are like 12 x 10 x 20 inches maybe?)

-They are PACKED with products. The strung beads specifically come wrapped in bubble wrap or sealed bags by the SKU. Same goes for other products like findings, wire, and string. You spend a lot of time ripping open the package, pulling it out, scanning it, and then putting it on the shelf

-But see, Mammon knows these aisles better than the back of his hand. He doesn't need the scanner

-He'll unwrap handfuls at a time of strung beads and immediately start putting them out. Anything that goes in the next aisle he doesn't touch because he will not be walking back and forth, he's going to gather it all up and do it at once

-He spends barely an hour on each box, and once he's done, he admires any of the new items that came in. As a treat.

-Replen manager comes to check on him and she's stunned to find him done. She buys him a pastry from across the street as a reward

-He does help out with other repacks, but it takes him longer since he's not as familiar with the aisles

-Despises craft paint with a burning passion. Do NOT put him in that aisle or he will throw a fit. Threatens to quit (wouldn't actually)

-Gets frustrated easily with that aisle because the paint tubes fall over too often. And his hands are too big to reach for the one that fell over, and he'll end up knocking more over because the shelves are too close together

-Has trouble folding T-shirts. MC has shown him multiple times but he can't stay consistent with it

-One time she found him kneeling on the floor trying to fold a shirt. Has not let him fold since

-Now if they're working together, she folds them and he puts them away. It's efficient.

-After three weeks, he's gotten pretty good with memorizing the store and product locations. He has come to this conclusion.

Hell: Craft paint, T-Shirts, Open Stock Paintbrushes

Heaven: Jewelry <3, Kids Beads, Seasonal, Yarn

Neutral: Fine Arts, Ribbon (Thin Ice), Stickers, Fabric, Floral, Baking (Hates the baking pans specifically though), Wood, Frames, the rest of the store basically

-He likes making things look neat (actually likes the way MC looks pleased when he drags her over to show it off)

-If they're working together, he might get slightly distracted and trail after her to chat. She only allows it if it's slow.

-If someone needs help she'll shoo him away/send him off. He'll come right back after he's done though

-Otherwise she's walking through the aisles recovering with him and doing returns, handing him stuff and pointing to where it goes as he rambles about a new commission he made. Or the newest beads they got in stock.

"Says B 23."

"And they said they we're gettin' it for their partner-"

"There. Next to the red gift bags."

"-but how do ya not know their favorite color?! C'mon! That's like the first thing ya learn!"

"What's yours?"

"Blue. Or gold. And yellow, when gold ain't an option, because yellow is a lot more common. But none of that neon crap! Nah, like.. like.. I'll show ya when we reach the bead aisle! Anyway, they came back all-"

-'Yellow.' She thinks. Fitting, for someone who brightens her day so much. She shakes the thought away.

-She won't admit it but she does enjoy it. It makes the time pass faster.

"Did you know the beads go on sale Sunday? And we get paid this Friday. Are you gonna buy any?"

"...Are ya messin' with me?"

"Why would I be?"

"I'm going to buy so many things."

-MC starts to dread Sunday, and knows she's gonna have to reign him in. Oh boy.

-

hahaha pt 3 is in the works, i think. Because I had more ideas, but this got long again. Rest of this is me rambling.

Anyway, today I worked on repacks for Research™. And because I didn't wanna hear people asking if things are in the back. NO. I DID IT ALL TODAY !! EVERY LAST BIT !! (for t shirts and jewelry at least)

Took me four hours to do three jewelry boxes, though I did stop multiple times to help customers and go fulfill online orders. And unlike Mammon, I did need a scanner for some of it.

T shirts I did five boxes and took ten minutes a box since I didn't need the scanner except a handful of times. So it definitely varies on what department you're doing how long you'll take and how familiar you are with the aisle. For reference, it took my coworker 3.5 hours to do two boxes of jewelry.

Edit:

HERE'S PT 3 LOLOL

[guardian-rocket]

For Christmas, Scott got Rocket a flashdrive with loads more songs to add to the Zune, from 70s to 2000s, and lots of random odd-end tech parts in excellent condition he can use for whatever purpose his heart desires.

"Oh man, this is a great Christmas gift," Rocket said excitedly, looking curiously at the flashdrive as Scott explained what was on it. The ability to switch the music around on the Zune would mean all the more chances to discover great new musical acts that he might fall in love with.

The parts were great too, in truth something he was always hunting for too and the stuff Scott gave him wasn't the typical banged up scrap he usually had to work with.

Rocket pulled a box out from under the inflatable Christmas tree that Mantis and Drax previously stole from a store on Earth. At first glance it looked like it was wrapped traditionally with red and gold paper, but the box had been wrapped so that the paper was over all parts of the cardboard and not actually taped shut.

"This one's for you, Puppy," Rocket said as he handed him the box.

There were two items in the box. A pair of gravity boots like the pair he was lent during their mission in the Quarantine Zone, that had Scott's last name embroidered on the bootstraps in Earth's plain English and a device that looked like some high-tech walkie talkie. Before he could ask about it Rocket put his hands up and said, "I know that I can be a bit hard to get ahold of, being in space and all. This thing is simple enough, you talk into it while holding the button on top and it transmits me a recording, and it can receive them too, from me, since I got the other one. It only goes the two ways, so it's secure. If the the display is red, it means there's a recording, and you just press the side button to play. It does play the live feed when the recording goes through, and it'll save it until a new message goes through. I figure this way you can reach out if you ever need a favor or ... you know... wanna hang out?"

It wasn't as if Rocket planned to keep his device on him at all times but at least this way Scott and him could have an easier time keeping in touch.

[werdlewrites]

masterlist- ao3 - twitter @ djomamma

share support through likes, comments and reblogs. Or through my kofi!

summary: The girl seems to still - frozen like a photograph and for a moment Autumn thinks she too will vanish into nothing. But her focus begins to turn, eyes wide and full of fear as if something else lingered just out of Autumn’s sight. She follows suit, finding only emptiness and turning back towards the girl slowly pushing herself up onto two shaken legs. She’s not looking into the beyond - the mystery. She stands with shoulders relaxed yet fists at her sides, unfurling before tightening again, uncertain of where to place her emotions as they run rampant. It’s as if…she sees. warnings: DEATH, blood, mentions of smoking? wc: 3,134

Time moves in a blur. Feet had stormed their way through the shell of her home, spare suitcases in hand and messily filled until the zippers struggled to remain intact. The seams bursting and she continues to push more inside - anything she’s willing to take, removing herself from this desolate place and letting it rot from the inside out. A tear-stained face is full of determination, carelessly carrying luggage down the stairs before tossing it into the trunk of her jeep. She takes the food, too. All gathered up in a pillowcase that was stripped from her father's bed. Hopper had done what he could with what little they had to work with. But with power now switched on at the little cabin tucked away inside of nowhere, Autumn knew she could do better. Her foot lays heavily against the pedal - nearly blowing stop signs in desperation to gain distance from the memory built in wood and stone. The girl nearly misses her entry point into the woods - not carved out for wanderers, leaving the fortress too difficult to find. It all looks the same behind the dirtied glass - saying a small prayer that she was driving over her unseen tracks, back towards the only place she found security within.

That was hours ago. She had dragged all that she could inside the dimly lit structure, organizing the food and pans haphazardly inside now-clean cupboards. Time alone had given her more than enough opportunity to scrub this place from top to bottom, receiving a bewildered “thank you” from Hopper as he stood in the doorway just the night before. But he’s gone again, and the sun was now setting. He was doing all he could to avoid suspicion - keep attention far from him as he disappeared into the woods. But it wasn’t for his sake, more for hers. He would call her on the walkie just to check in, and she spoke without much thought as she dissociated - body acting on autopilot with words forgotten the moment he said “Goodbye.” She's pushing it all out. Pushing things aside and allowing the hunger for relief to spur her on. The pot of noodles boils and the sauce is made from scratch - herbs cut finely to blend in as she layers ingredients together in a dish certainly not meant for lasagna, but makes do with what they have. It cooks and she organizes her new life, frustrated with the lack of space - the lack of…life and color. She’s sweating by the time dinner is done and is set out to cool over the stovetop. Her little treasures are pulled out to place on the windowsill, books stacked on the nearly broken table before letting the cramped space stamp out the flicker of a fire. Building herself back up from scratch seemed hopeless, and she grew tired of the fight. All she had ever known was buried inside suitcases - packed up, uprooted by force at the edge of seventeen.

Abandoned.

Forgotten.

And if she were truly on her own now, where had a once loving father gone? Had he taken on a new life or returned to an old one, leaving his prodigy behind in the wreckage of heartache? Maybe it's all a mistake - but something compels Autumn to look beyond the small space, and towards the untouched attic that remains exposed - no walls to hide away the shadows and cobwebs. The girl takes hesitant steps up the rickety ladder, finding property left behind to wear down as nature swept through the cracks. But despite the eerie feeling of moving through the ghosts of someone else's life, it held a certain comfort - and she decided to make do. Bundled-up socks hang in a tight grip, their contents rattling as she moves. Her pockets are carefully stuffed with incense and a lighter she discovered in the depths of her bag before she makes the climb once more. It’s not what she’s used to - lighting the scented wood to leave a gentle stream of smoke that fills her lungs. The socks are emptied - sending stones and crystals to tumble and scatter in disorder, and among the few, Amethyst. Autumn finds it cruel - nearly laughable as the universe urges the stone to lay the closest at her feet. The unseen speaking through suggestion that she needed peace and divine energy. The girl takes the hint, plucking it from the planks to rest between clasped hands. “Okay,” she says under an unsteady breath - trembling at the thought of what she may find if anything at all. “Show yourself,”

She’s locked in darkness as her eyes fall shut, the edges of the stone pressed deep enough to indent her skin. Smoke fills her with every deep breath - spilling out with a relaxing exhale as she pushes herself further. The cold air begins to lessen, and the roughness of the wood beneath her seems to fade. It’s almost a numbing sensation - a feeling of floating in nothingness as something earthy yet sweet begins to cocoon her. A guiding hand as it caresses her cheek, soothing the girl until the burden of sleep begins to weigh her down. Her head lolls back with her torso following after, yet caught in its soothing grip and laid out with care in the blackness. She can feel the rustle of worn fibers beneath her as they give way, yet cannot feel the rough texture assaulting her skin. Aching eyes are pried open to stare out at the nothingness - waiting for a sign to say she had made it through, and that she simply wasn’t stuck in this in-between. It comes within seconds. Attention is pulled across the way as a lamp comes to life with the pull of its chain, illuminating sleep-deprived eyes and a look of annoyance in his expression. Rest was a long-forgotten friend even as he attempted to lay in the stillness, a hopeful prayer on his lips that they may reunite once more. Legs pull towards the edge of the bed, dragging blankets as he moves until he’s up on two feet, passing by the light that shines down on a glass ashtray with a half-smoked cigarette. In all of her lifetime…Autumn had believed she was the only one with this foul trait — a killer of the mind and body, which he so passionately discouraged.

She’s up on her own, watching as his body carries the glow of the light, leaving his bed behind so he may answer a late-night call that doesn’t quite reach her ears. The ring seems miles away, a mere echo to her and his voice is no different. Muffled and drowned out as if she had been at the bottom of the ocean, but she can see the way he shifts from near sleep, to lively and angered. His brows pull close together and he begins to pace, receiver glued to his ear. But his picture is fading - flickering like static with the signal interrupted. Gone one second, and there the next just across the room as the call ends with the slam of his fist. “Dad?” Autumn calls voice nearly failing with fragility. He doesn’t acknowledge her - not that she expects it. She’s only a ghost to him, maybe even less than that as the connection becomes more distorted, shadows creeping in to plummet her back into the dark. “Wait!” It’s all for nothing and she knows it - sprinting towards the empty space where he had once been, desperate for a glimmer of something, and left just as hopeless as she once had been. The girl remains defeated and stuck within the unknown, unable to grasp onto the ties of reality to pull herself up from the pits of hell. She lingers in the pain of knowing he was very much alive, and seemingly uninterested in her whereabouts. She couldn’t recognize the lamp at the bedside or the deep green sheets. Autumn couldn’t recognize him.

Something brings microscopic hairs to stand on end, goosebumps dancing across her skin. There’s a sudden sickening feeling…something she’s all too familiar with in this space. It lingers in the shadows, before bearing its teeth to consume the unsuspecting prey. The same thing that cries out in the furthest reaches of her mind - angry, hungry, and hurting. But it never comes - not the demons call, or the looming threat as it closes in. She remains…alone. Or was she? There’s something at her back - the faint sound of a sniffle, clear unlike her father as he argues over the phone. There’s hesitation as she follows after the noise with the turn of her head - always expecting a trick - a trap. But in the distance, a small child huddles up against the base of a tree, pink dress tattered and dirtied but like a beacon of light in this void. A young face stained with sadness, her muddy palm running across the underside of her nose. She was lost - it was evident in the way the earth sunk deep into thin fabric and scuffed the bottoms of her shoes. Autumn wonders the meaning behind their connection - why a stranger? Was she calling out in desperation to be seen by someone? Anyone. Pulling in another lost soul to feel a little less alone. Or was she trapped, like Will? Taken from her bed and held prisoner in the Upside Down - legs now tired from the run and seeking some form of shelter.

The girl seems to still - frozen like a photograph and for a moment Autumn thinks she too will vanish into nothing. But her focus begins to turn, eyes wide and full of fear as if something else lingered just out of Autumn’s sight. She follows suit, finding only emptiness and turning back towards the girl slowly pushing herself up onto two shaken legs. She’s not looking into the beyond - the mystery. She stands with shoulders relaxed yet fists at her sides, unfurling before tightening again, uncertain of where to place her emotions as they run rampant. It’s as if…she sees. She contemplates if this girl had fallen victim to evil hands - long dead and drifting through purgatory for a final judgment of her fate. But puppy-like eyes seem equally surprised to find someone else here. Her chest begins to swell with questions left unheard, held back by the barricade between them. And then...light. It washes in with grace and ease. A gentle glow off to the side as it fights back the darkness with every second, leaving the pair to squint as it soon becomes blinding. Autumn spares an uncertain glance towards the child, and the unnamed mimics her action before all attention is back on the scenery ahead. The light devours her nightmares, swallowing them up until she’s left to stand on an empty road paved with gravel. Though, she’s not entirely alone.

The blue car sits beneath the shade from the afternoon sun. Engine left unattended for so long it had cooled, and rusted. But the exterior shines with beauty, specks of light breaking through heavy foliage to kiss the surface - the only love it could know as it sits unoccupied. She looks to find that her only companion is gone - summoned away to wade through her own troubles. Autumn remembers this place. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary from the many visits before. Though this time, she could work her way toward the car, rather than be held back by some invisible thing. Her steps were slow and hesitant. The crunch and roll of every pebble beneath her weight was all too painfully loud, as the wind had died and no birds sang their loving songs. She had finally been given the chance to peer inside - the interior familiar as the sight of small legs kicking outwards from the back played out in her mind. A faceless man would grab at the tiny foot all in fun, before releasing the child from her hold. Though now, it seemed eerily pristine - as if no one had been inside. She thinks of the girl and how she managed to get this far. Had it always been her? Had she seen it all through her eyes? Fighting amongst children and standing small beneath “Papa’s” shadow. A simple joy ride with her peers or even parents as they play along with her games.

Autumn’s hands are cupped over the glass, peering in and desperate for any sign of life, yet there’s something on the outside to pull her away. It’s curious - whatever it is. Buried beneath the brush off to the side - something secret and tucked away with purpose. By the time she’s made it around the car, she’s beginning to regret the choice of succumbing to her curiosities. The more she uncovers with each step, is more of a defined shape. Soft curves in white - nothing conclusive, yet enough to give her pause at the tree line. The leaves are speckled with brilliant crimson - still fresh as they threatened to stain her skin with a gust of wind. She stares longer. Harder. Her body is so frigid she forgets to breathe as the picture before it morphs into…someone. Autumn stares at the back of a woman in white - blood spilling down the fabric and bare legs exposed by the rustle of branches. This stranger has been seen before - a glimmering smile and hand tainted with her blood as she offers out kindness. A kindness the girl would never know. A shaken breath gives her life once more, though stumbling as she immediately becomes lightheaded. In her panic, she tries to run. Her body collides and nearly topples over from the collision of the car, hands desperately reaching out for its support as she pulls her numb body along. She fumbles and trips over her own feet once she’s in free space, chest heaving with fingers clutching at the fabric of her shirt. She needed more room on this open road - the distance she added was never enough until the car was a few yards away. And more importantly, the lifeless woman was once again concealed to give a fragile heart the smallest moment of peace.

She remains shaken. She tugs at her layered top to fan away the heat climbing through her chest and into her throat. She wanted to vomit - to scream and cry as the woman's face flashed before her sight. A smile so bright now permanently gray and empty. A spirit ripped from its shell and cast out into the unknown. She had reached through the universe, if only to be seen one final time by the teenager, despite the panic it would bring. Her knees are weakened as the anguish crashes in, shaking her where she stands until she’s forced to kneel with a hand supported on her knee. Her eyes are glossed over with heavy tears, a pitiful whimper on her lips, watching as her sadness collects and darkens the rubble beneath her. Autumn is entangled in her sorrow, to the point she doesn’t hear the shoes that scuff along the path or the patterns of gentle breaths. She only sees two shadows creep into her sight, blending in with her own. The hurt is gone within the blink of an eye, replaced with something that stills a rapid heart with fright and curiosity.

Before she’s given the chance to speak - or to turn and face the intruders of her mind, she’s swept up. Strong arms slip beneath her with unapologetic force, ripping her backward for feet to kick and skid along the gravel. “No!” They’re moving fast - too fast to get a solid footing. But she thrashes against their hold, and they only grip tighter. “Let me go!” The beautiful blue car is growing further and further away - and the woman was left to be forgotten. “No! Please, please! Stop!”

“Autumn!”

She hears him somewhere. Muffled and echoing like another ghost traveling through the tangled wires of her psyche. She looks up at the duo - both men dressed in boring suits and faces distorted. No matter how hard she blinks, anything to give a picture of what her captors look like is blocked out. It refuses to give way - to give clarity, forever keeping them a mystery and almost alien-like. Nothing to resemble the man who called her name from the place beyond. But knowing he’s there stokes the raging fire - her movements more frantic in search of freedom. In search of him. “Hopper!” Autumn continues to tug and fight against them - kicking and screaming panicked nonsense until there’s a brief moment of stillness. She takes the opportunity to dig her feet down, flat against the rough ground to push herself up and out of their hold. They don't reach - not even the brush of fingertips searching for the girl as the shift in weight sends her tumbling forward. Falling forever into…emptiness. The world shatters apart and leaves a void before her, ready to swallow her whole and hold her prisoner in this place. Then suddenly…

Blue. It’s the color of Jim Hopper’s eyes - wide and full of fear. He’s found the cord to a ceiling light up in the attic, illuminating the girl and his ocean-colored eyes. Autumn felt numb, unable to register the frantic gasps for air until her body was pressed to his. “Jesus Christ,” he mutters into her hair. The officer’s grip is firm and she’s unable to feel the pain as he squeezes her tight, only understanding that she is locked in the man's trembling hold. His heart is racing against her own - thunderous and painful, struggling to find peace after watching the blood spill from her face. “Wha-what-?” He’s unable to ask, the question scrambled in his mind and swallowed down before it falls from his tongue. Autumn is limp in his arms, cheek resting against his shoulder with a hazy focus on the now burned-out incense - long sizzled out, and smokeless. The once shimmering purple stone had been cast aside in the chaos - split in two almost perfectly, something the crush of his steps could not accomplish. She knows what it all means - to see something meant to protect her mind and soul now cracked from looming danger. She can't bring herself to worry or stress over the threat - eyes heavy and body failing as the adrenaline fades out. Autumn lets the man support her as she’s grown exhausted, allowing a clouded gaze to fill with hallucinations of the dead.

[ultimatedreamer104]

I sat behind the dumpster eating a cosmic brownie as I thought about how long I'd be able to hide out here, I had everything I would need for a while, I was always prepared to get lost or have an emergency drill happen, I have everything I need in my backpack, I have food and rations that should last at least 2 weeks, extra sets of clothing, extra batteries for my phone, toothbrush, toothpaste, pencils, pens, radio, headphones, walkie-talkie, blanket, pillow, knife, compass, whistle, fire starter which includes matches and kindling, a physical map in case my phone dies, a gps, a few reading books, a couple water bottles, a knife sharpener, dictionary, deodorant, money. 'If I pase myself... I might be able to get pretty far...' I whisper as I crouched down to reevaluate the situation, a few hours ago we have left school taken a 30 minute bus drive to a local museum in our little town, Jake and Ricky were once again bullying me, at one point they pulled me aside and said it would just be better if I ran away so that nobody would ever have to deal with me again, so when I saw an opportunity I grabbed it, I slipped out the side door and now I'm here hiding behind the trash dumpster, thinking about what to do, first I decided to text my uncle I've been living with him for the last 15 years of my life, he's a pretty laid-back guy and a man of the land which is one of the reasons why I think he'll be okay with me doing this he knows I'm ready for this, we've had drills, I quickly texted him about the situation, you replied back quickly and said he fully supported my decision, he texted me that he'd be by to pick me up that I could grab some final things from my room a few minutes later my uncle arrived 'he must have spent to get here!' he smiled at me, once I got home I grabbed the last few things I would probably need I switched my already huge big backpack for a bigger one and made sure not to transfer any of my school books to it, I filled up a water flask and put it in the back grab my camera and a few other things I would need along with the rest of my money, I jog down the stairs in our little home and back into the living room where my uncle stood with a lunch " hay! I have this all packed for you" he said raising the lunch bag up "just for you, be safe out there kid, okay?" "Okay," I said hay, just.... try and be back in a couple weeks and not miss too much school, okay?" I chuckled at this, "right" I said then stepped outside the back door and started walking toward the forest, on to my next adventure, getting these jerks and big trouble (⁠✷⁠‿⁠✷⁠)

I sighed as I entered a gas station, I looked at my watch, 12:36 a.m... it's been 1 week 5 days since I left home, I'm now in Michigan, in a gas station, in the middle of nowhere... I walked through the aisles and picked up a few things, as I got to the cash register I saw the news on, "hey, could you turn that up?" "Yeah sure" said the clerk looking up from his phone in order to turn up the sound, and continue to go back to his phone, on the news was a report of a missing kid, 16 said to be 5'8, in 11th grade, dirty blonde hair, with blue green eyes. I chuckled a bit as I placed my items on the counter, "just these please," I said, the clerk looked up and nodded as he stood up, put his phone down, and rang my items up, and gave them to me in a little bag, "you did want a bag right?" I shrugged, "it's fine, thanks" the clerk nodded once again and sat back down "s'no problem, have a good one" "you too" I said as I walk out of the gas station and back onto the open road I smirked to myself,

1 week 3 days later...

I stood in the mail office with a few cards in my hands one had my uncle's address on it, it had a letter and a few pictures, the other two had Jake and Ricky's addresses on them, this point, almost 3 weeks in, but in case they hadn't, or they were bending the truth, here would be.... evidence as one might want to put it, oh yes, I was getting my revenge, and it's beautiful.

Thank you to my younger sister who spell checked this for me 😅😂

A cruel prank by your bullies leaves you separated from the rest of the class. Instead of finding your way back, you decide to “go missing” and let the consequences catch up to them.

[notruercolors]

“The Rise of The Archer”

Chapter 1 “Brewing Storm

            Abigail looked over at her alarm clock. 8:45pm. She got up out of bed abandoning her chemistry notes scattered across the room. She winced as she pulled out another curler that had more of her light brown hair stuck in it. She scrunched up her nose tossing the last roller on the floor. She pulled out the Seventeen magazine from her nightstand. “Yeah, right, sure. Put rollers in your hair to tame your curls. More like pulling out your hair.”

She grabbed the Seventeen magazine from her bed and put it under her arm. “I may as well just throw out this piece of shit. Clearly, they don’t know shit about curly hair.” She got up popping out her newest cassette She’s So Unusual by Cyndi Lauper out of the cassette player of her boombox and popped it back into its own box.

“Yo, Dustin, have you taken a shower yet? We have school tomorrow,” called out Abigail knocking on Dustin’s door. It was eerily quiet on the other side of the door.  “I’m coming in, you better be dressed.” She pushed open the door. The bed was still made and dark.

“Fuck. Mom’s going to kill me,” Abigail slammed the door shut.

She walked down the hallway to the living room. Then ran a hand through her brown curls before walking back to her room digging out a box from her closet finding a radio. She flipped it, turning the knob until she reached the frequency the Party always used.

Abigail held down the talk button. “Archer to Bard. You better get your ass home before I find you.” She watched the numbers switch several more times before she picked up the walkie talkie again.

Abigail pressed the talk button again. “Alright, enough bullshit. Dustin, you better answer me right now.”

Nothing. Abigail sighed, tossing the walkie talkie on the bed. She took a deep long breath. “I swear. Soon as mom and I allow you to stay out later on your own you start with this bullshit. Oh, I’m not a baby anymore. Pfft. I swear to God if I have to drive to the Wheelers and drag his ass home, I’m going to strangle him.” She rambled to herself as she walked down the hallway passing the sofa briskly.

            Abigail shrieked as Mews leapt out from under the sofa hissing swatted at her ankle before bolting down the hallway bouncing off the walls towards her mother’s room. Abigail grabbed her ankle where Mews had managed to scratch. “Fuck you too Mews!”

Just as she got the phone and started to dial the Wheelers number the door banged against the wall. Abigail slammed the phone back down and stalked into leaving you. She crossed her arms glaring at her brother. Dustin shrunk slightly in his sister's glare.

“Dustin Clarence Henderson. Do you know what fucking time it is? I went to tell you to take a shower to find an empty bed!” shouted Abigail. “Are you trying to give me a fucking heart attack at sixteen?!”

            Dustin put his hands up in the air. “Sorry, we were playing a campaign. That curfew is totally lame. It’s so not far you get to stay out until 10pm.You aren’t going to tell mom, right?” he asked pausing for a second giving his sister the best puppy dog eyes he could muster “After all, I did you a solid when you snuck out to that party, I never told mom.”

            “Don’t start blackmailing me and stop with those puppy dog eyes,” Abigail frowned, taking a deep breath. “Fine, I won’t tell. But seriously Dusty, you nearly gave me a heart attack when I looked in your room to realize you weren’t there. You promise to radio me if you are late.”

            “I’m not a baby anymore. You and mom worry too much,” Dustin said but after seeing Abigail’s eyes looked even a bit teary, he looked down at his feet. “I know, I promise. I’m sorry. It was just a really cool campaign.”

            Abigail sighed walking over ruffling Dustin’s hair. “It’s okay bud. There’s some truth to what you are saying. You aren’t a baby, but you aren’t sixteen either. Mom lets me stay out late because I can drive now. When you can drive, if you aren’t stupid, I’m sure you will stay out late too. Why don’t you take a shower and I’ll make some hot chocolate and you can tell me all about it before bed. You ate, right?”

            “Yeah, we had pizza.” Dustin replied.

            “I won’t heat anything up then. Go shower or I’ll drink all the hot chocolate.”

            Abigail went to the kitchen boiling a kettle of water and pulling out two mugs then the hot cocoa mix. While she looked out the window overlooking the backyard into the forest a chill ran from her spine all the way to her neck causing her to rub her arms as she got goosebumps. She went over and checked the lock on the back door just to be safe. Of course, it was locked. She couldn’t help but chew on the inside of her lip furrowing her eyebrow slightly, seeing some movement in the pushes.

            “Abby, the kettle,” said Dustin, still shaking water out of his curls with a towel.

            Abby ran over and turned off the stove. She yelped after grabbing the kettle handle without grabbing the oven mitt. “Fuck!”

“That was stupid. Even I know not to grab a hot kettle without a mitt.” Dustin still went over concerned, taking a glance at Abby's hand. It was only slightly red.

“Not that smartest choice I’ve made,” Abby rolled her eyes grabbing the mitt this time before pouring the water into the mugs.

            After settling on the sofa Dustin began to recount the entire campaign with dramatic expressions. Abby just smiled listening to him ramble on about the campaign.

            “Right at the end Mrs. Wheeler yelled down for us to go home. The dice flew across the room. Will, Lucas and I were crawling all over the room looking for the dice. Finally, Will found it. He rolled a 7, which would have been bad if Mike saw, but thankfully he didn’t otherwise the demogorgon would have killed him. The party is so fucked without Will.”

            “It sounds like a great game,” Abby said with a smile “but it’s ten and we both have school tomorrow and if mom gets home before we are in bed, she might be worse than a demogorgon.”

            “Hey, Abby…” Dustin said as Abby collected the mugs and started to turn off the lights.

            “Yeah.”

            “Why don’t you play anymore?” Dustin looked over at Abby with pleading eyes.

            “Well, if you ever needed my character for a special campaign maybe I would come for one, but just one. It can’t be during soccer season or a play or during exams,” sighed Abby. “I’m just busy now that I’m in high school.” She paused for a moment, smirking. “And who said I didn’t play anymore? Maybe I just found some better players.”

            “Hey!” Dustin put a hand on my heart. “You wound me dearly milady.”

            Abby rolled her eyes as she flipped on the house light before turning off the lamp in the living room. “Now get to bed.”

            “Wait, are you serious? Who do you play with?” asked Dustin as Abby darted down the hallway. “Hey! Don’t run away from me! Who stole our elf archer?”

            Abby slammed her door shut and locked it. Dustin banged on the door. “I ain’t tellin’ ya nothin’. Go to bed!”

            Abby shoved her notes into a pile and put them on her nightstand. She waited until the banging stopped before unlocking the door. She turned off the big light leaving only her lamp. She reached into her nightstand pulling out Jane Eyre. She had a bookshelf, but she refused to leave the book out for her mother to see because the last time she caught her reading P. S. I Love You next thing she knew her mother recommended romance books. Halfway though chapter two she was completely mortified by what her mother read.

            When her door creaked open, she looked at her clock seeing it was 10:55. She tensed expecting to see her mother but instead Dustin peered inside.

            “Dusty, seriously, you are really trying to give me a heart attack tonight,” Abby sighed, putting her book away.

            “Can I sleep in here? Please?” Dustin asked using his best puppy-dog expression.

            Abby rolled her eyes. “Just get in here before mom gets home.”

            Dustin closed the door quietly. “She’s already home. Fell asleep watching TV.” Then he bounced on the bed making Abby laugh when she nearly fell off the bed.

            “She worked two shifts…” Abby mumbled, biting the inside of her lip before looking at Dustin with gentleness.

“You haven’t asked to come into my room for a while. Why tonight?” She prodded gently.

            “Couldn’t sleep. Could you maybe…tell me a story about dad again?” Dustin asked sweetly with a hopeful gleam in his eyes.

            Abby felt her stomach drop a little bit but smiled at Dustin. “Sure, just one, because it’s late. Which one do you want me to tell?”

            “Do you have any you haven’t told me?” Dustin asked warily.

            “Dustin…I’ve told you like twenty times I won’t tell that story until your 13th birthday. You’re still too young for that one,” Abby frowned sharply.

            “I wasn’t going to ask about that! I swear!” Dustin whispered, waving his hands in denial. “I wanted a funny one.”

            “Sorry, yeah sure.” Abby ruffled Dustin’s curls. Dustin shoved her hands away from hair. “There is one I don’t think I told you.” She paused for a moment. “So you know how dad played baseball in college before he met mom. I wish I could say I inherited his gift for baseball. But alas I did not. I really fucking sucked. I was no where near hitting the fucking ball when we played at school. I always hated when we had our baseball unit in PE. So, one day in third grade…”

            A small girl walked through the door. Her brown curls barely reach her shoulders looking more like a bird’s nest than a proper haircut. She threw her backpack on the floor.

“I’m never going back to school!” wailed Abby running up the stairs.

“Abigail Grace Henderson!” called her mother from the kitchen walking into the living room hearing all the ruckus.

Abby dramatically flopped on her bed. The door slowly creaked, and a tiny Dustin walked in holding a toy stegosaurus. He came up poking Abby.

“Sissy, play dinosaurs?” asked Dustin.

“No,” mumbled Abby into her pillow.

“Please dinosaurs,” said Dustin pouting slightly.

“I said no! I don’t want to play stupid dinosaurs with you!” snapped Abby.

Dustin’s eyes got big filling with big crocodile tears. His lower lip started to quiver.

“Shit,” said Abby biting her lip. “Don’t cry. I didn’t mean to yell. We can play later.” She quickly tried to negate the bubbling tears before Dustin let out a wail that would alert their parents. She went into her nightstand pulling out a 3 Musketeers Bar shoving it in his hand.

Dustin giggled running off with the candy bar. Abby let out a sigh of relief until she saw her father standing in the doorway with a raised eyebrow.

“Wow, you sounded a bit of a…”

“Dustin! Don’t you dare finish that sentence,” scolded Abby “give me a break I was 8 and had a bad day.”

“Why?” Dustin questioned.

“If you shut up, I’ll tell you.”

Abby’s dad was a tall man nearing 6 feet and a muscular build. With his mop of dark brown curls and bright blue eyes all made him a bit of an intimidating man. He was wearing a red and black plaid shirt and blue and yellow Brewers baseball cap.

“Care to explain why you are yelling at your little brother?” questioned Abby’s father firmly.

“Umm,” sputtered Abby. “I got mad because he wanted to play, and I wanted to be alone.”

Her father sat on the bed next to her. “But instead of telling him nicely to go away you decided to yell at him. How do you think that made him feel?”

“Not good,” replied Abby looking at the floor.

“What should you have done instead?” her father asked.

“Use my words.”

“Right. Now, you understand that. Why are you so mad?” probed her father, his voice much gentler than before.

“We are playing baseball in PE for the next month. And I can’t hit the ball. All the kids laugh and call me ‘No Hit Abby’,” pouted Abby.

“Kids can be not nice sometimes. But that doesn’t make it okay for you to not be nice at home,” replied her father.

“I know. I just got angry.”

“Abby, you are better than that. Were you born able to swim or ride a bike?” Abby shook her head. “Right, you had to practice. Do you think throwing a fit helped you back then?”

“No obviously. But I was like a baby, and you taught me those things.”

“Right. So instead of throwing a fit, what could you have done?”

“Asked for help,” muttered Abby.

            “Here’s what you are going to do. First, you are going to pick up your stuff downstairs. Then, you play with your brother for a half hour then do your homework. After dinner we will go outside and practice,” said her father. Abby let out a small whine. “Absolutely no whining. You are not going to treat your brother, who happens to adore you, like that.”

            “Okay..okay, I get it.”

            “Good.”

            Dustin let out a sigh. “So, what’s really so funny about this?”

            “Jesus Dustin,” laughed Abby. “It’s a story. You gotta wait for the good parts.”

            “Was dad scary?” Dustin questioned.

            “I guess sometimes. He was a really tall man. Built a bit like the tanks he used to drive when he was in Vietnam. He was more like a big teddy bear, but he was a lot stricter than mom is,” Abby answered shrugging.

            “Oh.”

            “Though he was a tough teacher he taught me a lot of stuff. Like teaching me to swim and ride a bike and rock-climbing,” continued Abby with a faint sad smile.

            “Woah, he took you rock-climbing,” gasped Dustin.

            “It was our little secret. Mom would have had a heart attack if she knew we often went rock climbing when we went camping. Dad always said it was just as important a skill as riding a bike when it comes to camping. I’ve told you like a million different camping stories,” said Abby. Her eyes began to burn making her squint slightly, but she managed to blink back the betraying liquid trying to escape.

            Dustin’s arms wrapped around her suddenly. Abby couldn’t help but hug him back. She smiled fondly at him as he curled up into her side.

            “So, every night we would spend at least two hours in the backyard with dad tossing me the ball and I kept missing it.”

            “It’s hard to imagine you sucking at a sport,” said Dustin.

            “Baseball is not my jam. I’m not that fond of basketball either, but I tolerate watching it. I really only liked soccer,” said Abby “I much rather go camping or hunting with dad than do all the stupid after school stuff mom tried to put me in. She made me stay in Girl Scouts forever, don’t get me wrong it was okay, but they never taught us the important stuff, only girly things.”

            Dustin hummed in response, his eyes shutting slightly.

            It was a Saturday. Abby and her dad were outside tossing the ball back and forth and taking swings at balls. No matter how many times he taught her how to grip the bat and wait to swing. She kept missing, though it was getting closer and closer.

            “It’s dinner time! You guys have been at it all day. It’s time to come in,” called Claudia from the back door.

            “Dee, give us one more try. She’s so close,” said Abby’s father, speaking sweetly much like Dustin had earlier.

            “Fine, one more.”

            “Come on, you can get Abs,” encouraged Abby’s father.

            Abby moved her hands up on the bat just like her dad had shown her. She waited. Swing. BAM! Dead center in the sweet spot of the bat.

            Abby jumped up and opened the door excitedly. She barely noticed her mother running towards her father, who was toppled over on the ground holding his lower gut.

            “Oh my, honey…are you alright?” Claudia asked between her laughing, finally pulling herself together. She patted her husband’s back.

            “Good job, Abs. If you do that, trust me they won’t be laughing anymore,” he grunted as he slowly got up off the ground.

            A soft snore made Abby look over at Dustin he had curled into a ball on her side with his head on her stomach. Abby patted Dustin’s head. “You remind me so much of him so painfully so.” She whispered.

            “He may look like your dad. But you act far more like him,” said Claudia softly.

Abby jumped, putting a hand on her heart. “Oh my god, mom, you scared the crap out of me.”

“Language, Abigail,” Claudia scolded half-heartedly. “I do mean it though.” She came in and sat on the bed next to Abby.

“When I look at Dustin, I see your dad. But when you laugh, I hear his laughter and see his smile. When you score a point your face lights up just like his. Your cheekiness and determination among so many things. You are so much more like him than you realize.” Claudia smiled sadly.

“I wish he could have seen how much you’ve grown. I don’t think I tell you enough how much I appreciate what you do,” said Claudia.

“You were always there for Dustin in a way I couldn’t. You did so much when you were still so young. I know, I know, you’ll say it’s not a big deal, but it is.” Claudia said her face slightly flushed as her brown eyes were slightly glossy in the dim light.

“Are you doing okay Mom?” Abby asked cautiously, watching her mother’s face intently.

“Of course. I just realized how much you’ve grown up and I couldn’t help it,” Claudia smiled hissing the top of Abby’s head. “Just being sappy again. However, you aren’t grown enough to not sleep. Go to sleep.”

“Right. Goodnight, Mom.”

“Goodnight, Abby.”

Abby turned off the light scooting herself down onto her pillow carefully not to wake Dustin. Although Dustin had once slept through a tornado, she was probably safe. She couldn’t help twirling a finger around Dustin’s curls much like she had done to her father years ago. She quickly wiped a drop of hot liquid that had run down her cheek.

            “Abby! Dusty! Breakfast is done!” Claudia called from the kitchen.

            Abby squinted as she rubbed her ears. Dustin groaned next to her and rolled over, kneeing her in the stomach. Abby gasped clutching the side of her stomach. “Fuck! Dustin get your ass out of bed,” she shoved Dustin, making him roll off the bed.

            “What the hell?!” Dustin shouted as he groaned from the rough landing.

            “You’re the one that kneed me in the stomach! Now, I remember why I stopped letting you sleep in my bed!” Abby hissed as she got up out of bed.

            “You didn’t have to push me that hard?” pouted Dustin as he got up off the floor.

            “You’re fine.” Abby rolled her eyes “Get out dork so I can get dressed.”

            “Fine.” Dustin slammed the door shut behind him.

Abby's hand reached for her favorite pair of jeans, fingers brushing over the soft denim. She rifled through her closet until her gaze landed on the fuzzy, striped blue and white sweater. Despite the fraying edges, evidence of countless washes, she couldn't help but smile at the familiar texture under her fingertips. It was a comforting reminder of the memories woven into its threads.

Abby saw the walkie talkie on her nightstand and pulled out the same box from the previous night. She paused for a moment looking at the familiar Brewers hat in the box. She took it holding it for a while before suddenly putting it back in the box and slamming the closet door shut. She squashed her notes back into her folder and shoved it back into her backpack with all her other books.

“Morning mom.” Abby greeted her mother brightly as she sat down at the table as her mother put strawberry pancakes in front of her. “Thanks.”

“DUSTIN, hurry up before I let your sister eat all the pancakes!” shouted Claudia. Abby rubbed her ears slightly as her mother had been standing right next to her. “Sorry dear, didn’t mean to shout in your ear.”

“It’s okay. But when I have hearing loss when I’m older I’m blaming you.” Abby started to shove a pancake in her mouth.

“Oh yes, your potential hearing loss will have nothing to do with blaring music all times of the day, especially that Metalda stuff.” Claudia rolled her eyes.

“Metallica. But I literally only listened to them one time and you won’t let it go” Abby replied with a mouthful of pancake.

“Seriously, are you five? Don’t talk while you’re eating.”

Abby rolled her eyes going back to her breakfast as Dustin walked in. She tapped her foot under the table blocking out the usual batter between her mom and Dustin in the morning. She watched the clock throughout breakfast before taking one more massive bite finishing off her plate. “Mom, can Dustin bike to school? I need to stop by the library to return a few books from my history project. I’ll be late if I take him to school too.”

“Dustin, do you mind?”

Dustin shrugged. “It’s fine.”

“Great! I gotta go then. I’ll be back by dinner time. We have a meeting for the Christmas musical, and I was going to go to Barb’s to study with Nancy but that’s after dinner.” Abby got up from the table getting ready to leave the kitchen but gives her mother a last second hug before running out grabbing her backpack from the floor as she left.

“Be safe! No speeding!”

“I will.” Abby waved off her mother.

Abby threw her backpack into the passenger seat of her navy Ford Escort. Inside she had a purple fuzzy dice and a Florida state fair fresher hanging from the rearview mirror as a gift from her grandmother. She fastened her seatbelt as she looked out the back windshield as pulled out of the driveway.

After reaching school Abby, after a harrowing escape from the librarian trying to get her to volunteer the only free time she gets on Saturdays, she went to her locker throwing in her books in the locker carelessly. She only grabbed her Romeo and Juliet for English and her notebook.

BANG.

Abigail held a hand on her chest hissing seeing the familiar jacket attached to hand from her peripheral vision. “Munson for fuck’s sake can you stop doing that?”

“So, Henderson. Friday night, usual place,” said Eddie rolling his eyes. Abby turned around looking up at Eddie.

“Friday is open. You got lucky I didn’t agree to babysit yet. You need to start giving me more than four days' notice, Munson.” Abby sighed.

“I can’t help it you overschedule,” Eddie rolled his eyes, “you’re the one that agreed to join Hellfire Club.”

“It’s not about me being overscheduled. It’s about common courtesy,” Abby rolled her eyes, “If I didn’t want to play D&D with you guys, I wouldn’t have bothered to overschedule myself. As much as I enjoyed the interrogation I agreed to meet Nancy and Barb at their lockers before English. I’ll see you Friday.”

“Are you sure you aren’t just trying to avoid being seen with me?” Eddie raised an eyebrow.

Abby rolled her eyes and sighed. “Why is it so hard for you to believe I want to be friends?”

“Because you have a clique. You have no reason to hang out with losers like us,” stated Eddie.

“I get everyone here tends to be an asshole here to you. I haven’t spent my entire life here in Hawkins. I don’t really know the whole history. But I’m usually a pretty good judge of character. With some error in that. I happen to think you are a decent person with a good heart. Just let me show you that I’m not like most of the assholes here,” Abby answered gently.

As Abby walked away, she saw Jeff walking up to Eddie. She could briefly hear Jeff scolding Eddie for being so suspicious. She gave a small smirk briefly hearing Jeff describe her fight with Carol in 7th grade.

            Abby leaned against the lockers next to Barbara finding the tall auburn girl changing out her books. “Chemistry is going kill me. I was up so late trying to study for this test. I can’t afford bad grades in Chemistry if I plan on going to a veterinary school after graduation.”

            Barbara rolled her eyes. “I seriously doubt a veterinary school is going to care about your grade in Chemistry in high school.”

            Abby playfully shoved Barb. “You’re supposed to be the supportive one. You’re probably right, but my undergraduate school will care.”

            “You’re overthinking again,” reminded Barbara.

            “I know, I know. I can’t help it,” sighed Abby. “ Let’s go find Nancy.”

            The pair walk towards the entrance of the school searching for Nancy as they are squeezed by the hoard of teenagers. Barbra waved to Nancy before Abby could see her.

            “So? Did he call?” asked Barbra.

            “Ugh, I didn’t agree to meet to talk about Harrington,” groaned Abby.

            “Keep your voices down—” hissed Nancy.

            Abby rolled her eyes.

            “Did he?” Barbara whispered.

Nancy shakes her head walking up to her locker. “I told you, it’s not like that.”

Barbara raises an eyebrow and Abby gags slightly.

“Okay, I mean, yes, fine, he likes me, you know, but not like that,” continued Nancy.

“I’m pretty sure that’s all Harrington thinks about,” said Abby. Barbra gives her shoulder a nudge and firm look. Abby raises her hands up in surrender.

“We just made out a couple times,” Nancy continued.

“We just made out a couple times,” mocked Barbara. “Jesus, you're gonna be so cool now. It's ridiculous.”

            “No, I’m not!”

            “Nance, you totally are,” agreed Abby.

            “You better still hang out with me, that’s all I’m saying. If you become friends with Carol and Tomm H…”

            “I swear to god I will tell everyone what’s in your diary if you do that,” added Abby fake gagging at the suggestion of Nancy being friends with them.

            “Gross. And I'm telling you, this was just a one-time, two-time thing, alright?” said Nancy as she opened her locker. Nancy pulls a note off her locker and opens it.

            Abby looked over Barbra and Nancy’s shoulder reading it along with Nancy. MEET ME. BATHROOM. STEVE.

            Nancy looks at Barbara and Abby, dumbfounded.

            “You were saying?” replied Barbara smirking.

            “Wrap it up Wheeler. Seriously,” remarked Abby.

            “Gross, Abby. We are in the hallway for crying out loud,” said Nancy scrunching up her nose.

            “Just giving good advice,” shrugged Abby ignoring the horrified looks from her friends, “he has a reputation , that's all. And I know your parents are strict and my mom doesn’t really question me at all about condoms.” She lowered her voice slightly to avoid people staring at the mention of condoms.

            “Seriously?” said Barbara.

            Abby shrugs. “She gave me a whole speech when I started high school that she didn’t want to be a grandma until I graduated college. Just take condoms when I need no questions asked.”

            “See you in English Nancy,” called Barbara and Abby breaking away from Nancy.

            “I can’t believe your mom is that cool about sex,” whispered Barabra as a group of girls walked by.

            Abby continued, “My mom says I’m going to do that stuff and other things anyways. She would rather have me do it in a safe way. She's just being practical and honest with me.”

Barbara raises an eyebrow, her expression reflecting confusion rather than judgment. "Your mom is... different."

“Maybe. But look if you had to deal with what my mom and I did, you’d be different too,” sighed Abby sensing that Barbara really didn’t understand.

            Abby continued, "It's really not just my mom, Barbara. It's about trust and openness in our relationship. Something you and Nancy seem to have nailed down."

Barbara frowns, her loyalty to Nancy evident in her defensive stance. "Nancy's different. We've been through a lot together."

Abigail nods, acknowledging Barbara's point, "I get that, but it doesn't mean our friendship should be any less valued."

Barbara's eyes soften as she considers Abigail's words, "It’s not like…,” she sighed. “I never meant it like that.”

“You didn’t have to,” said Abby, “It was obvious.”

            Just as they were about to enter the classroom Barbara blurts out, "I heard rumors about you this summer... about you and George."

Abigail's eyes widened in shock, hurt evident in her expression. "What kind of rumors? Who’s been saying stuff?!”

Barbara immediately regrets her words, realizing she's overstepped her bounds. "I'm sorry, Abby. I shouldn't have said anything."

Abigail's hurt turns into frustration, "Why do you always jump to conclusions about me? You never question Nancy like this."

Barbara's guilt deepens as she realizes the fact she really does treat them differently, "You're right. I shouldn't have assumed. But you didn’t deny either…"

            Abby paused for a moment, “I think I’m going to sit by myself today. Don’t expect me to be in the study group either. I need some space.”

            “Abby, please, I didn’t mean it like that,” said Barbara as Abby slipped into the classroom.

            “Serious Barb, back off,” said Abby, “This was a lot. I need time and if you want to show you value my relationship as much as Nancy's, give it to me.”

            Barbara pressed her lips together but went to sit in her usual seat while Abby went and sat with an unfamiliar girl with shoulder length mousy brown hair she had seen a few times but never spoke to.

            “Hope you don’t mind,” said Abby.

            “Yeah, sure, no problem,” sputtered the girl moving her stuff over.